SUMMARY

Starting in 2018, the Abu al Abbas Brigades increasingly fought other factions within the Forces of Hadi in the city of Taizz, in particular those aligned with Islah. Islah was a Muslim Brotherhood movement which was an early linchpin of the Forces of Hadi, but has since gradually weakened under pressure from UAE-backed groups. In early 2019, a series of assassinations of government officials perceived as sympathetic towards Islah was blamed on the Abu al Abbas Brigades. This led to the arrest of several of its members and widespread clashes between on the Abu al Abbas Brigades and security forces of the Forces of Hadi in the city of Taizz, resulting in the expulsion of the Abu al Abbas Brigades from the city and into the countryside of the governorate in April 2019. The expulsion of the Abu al Abbas Brigades increased the security in Taizz city, and made Islah the predominant faction there. The Abu al Abbas Brigades continued to participate as a part of the Forces of Hadi-coalition after a conclusion of the fighting in April.