UAE-backed Security Belt forces on Thursday removed two checkpoints in Al-Arish neighborhood and at the intersection of the international airport road, east of the port city of Aden in southern Yemen.

A local resident told Almasdar Online that Security Belt forces, who are loyal to the pro-secession Southern Transitional Council (STC), removed iron barriers and wooden boxes at Al-Rehab roundabout in Al-Arish neighborhood at the eastern entrance to the interim capital Aden. The other checkpoint was located at the intersection of the Corniche road and the airport.

The same source reported that soldiers at the two security checkpoints were seen leaving in military vehicles towards the Security Belt forces camp in Al-Buraiqa district, west of the city.

Almasdar Online tried to reach a source at the Security Belt forces to comment on the move but there was no immediate response. The lifting of these barriers is in accordance with the implementation of the Riyadh agreement, which seeks to incorporate the STC into the internationally recognized government in Aden in an effort to prevent a civil war between the two groups over control of southern Yemen.