Saudi Arabia took command of troops in Yemen's Aden, state media said Sunday, after the government and Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces struck a power-sharing deal following August clashes in the city.

"Coalition forces have been repositioned in Aden to become under the Kingdom's command and redeployed to conform with requirements of current operations," the Saudi-led pro-government Coalition said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In its statement, the coalition commended "the efforts of all forces, and at the forefront the UAE forces who have contributed to the success of operation plans."

The move comes after the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Saudi-led Coalition against northern-based Houthi rebels, handed key positions to Saudi forces earlier this month, according to a security official.

Yemen's internationally recognized government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the STC, both of whom have good relations with Riyadh, struck a power-sharing deal to end the conflict that erupted earlier this year, sources from both sides said on Friday.

The deal would see the STC handed a number of ministries while the government would return to the southern city of Aden, according to officials.

SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE