Southern Giants Brigades

The Southern Giants Brigades – previously known as Giants Brigades – are a militia led by Salafist leader ‘Abu Zaraa’ al-Muharrami, comprised predominantly of Salafist and tribal fighters from southern governorates. Established in 2018 with the support of the United Arab Emirates, they joined the camp of the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) with the main goal of liberating the West Coast from the Houthis. They are estimated at around 30,000 fighters. Since 2019, the Giants Brigades have responded to the Joint Force’s joint command. Their main area of activity is the West Coast, though lately they expanded their operations in Shabwah, Marib, and al-Dhali.

Southern Giants Brigades Leadership

The leadership of the Giants Brigades reflects the composition of its military units, integrating Salafi leaders and individuals from Lahij governorate, and especially from its Yafi district. Abdulrahman ‘Abu Zuraa’ al-Muharrami is the founder and current commander of the Giants Brigades. Hailing from Yafi district, he conducted his studies in the Salafi school of Dar al-Hadith in Dammaj.¹ In 2017, he assumed the supervision of the UAE-backed operations on the West Coast, concurrently leading the nascent units of the Giants Brigades.² Muharrami’s deputy is Hamdi Shukri al-Subayhi, a Salafi leader from Lahij who spearheaded the campaign to recapture the West Coast.³ In 2019, Muharrami was dismissed under charges of corruption, and replaced by Salafi leader Ali al-Hassani. When subsequently reinstated in June 2020, Muharrami faced the opposition of several military leaders.⁴ After spending two years in the UAE, al-Hassani has recently returned to Shabwa governorate.

Historical background

The Giants Brigades stemmed from the Southern Resistance units that opposed the Houthi advance in Aden in 2015. They operated in the West Coast under Abu Zaraa’s leadership, until President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi decreed the establishment of three brigades in January 2018.⁵ In April 2018, the Giants Brigades joined Operation Golden Spear, expanding their activity to western Taizz, while also advancing towards al-Durayhimi district in Hudayda. In October 2018,⁶ 13 brigades were officially established, for a total of 30,000 fighters – including 7,000 fighters from the Tihama Resistance – making them the largest group under Emirati command on the West Coast.

In 2019, the Salafi leader Ali al-Hassani was appointed commander of the Giants Brigades, replacing Abu Zaraa for about a year.⁷ In October 2019, the Giants Brigades expanded their operations to Abyan, supporting Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in their conflict against the IRG. Additionally, some forces were relocated to al-Dhali to counter the advance of the Houthis,⁸ while sporadic activity was recorded in Lahj, Aden, and al-Bayda. Patterns of activity remained largely unchanged in 2020, despite the reinstatement of Abu Zaraa as their commander in June. 

In December 2021, the appointment of pro-STC Governor Awad al-Awlaqi in Shabwa governorate eased the redeployment of the Giants Brigades in Shabwa to counter the Houthi advance. In January 2022, they launched Operation Southern Cyclone, effectively retaking Shabwa governorate and advancing in Marib. In conjunction, they changed their name to Southern Giants Brigades.

Timeline

• 2018
  • Jan. | President Hadi decrees the establishment of three brigades
  • Apr. – Jul. | The Giants Brigades join Operation Golden Spear and Operation Red Thunder in Hudayda
  • Dec. | Stockholm Agreement puts an end to the battle for Hudayda
• 2019 | The Giants Brigades deploy to Abyan and al-Dhali
• 2021
  • Dec. | The Giants Brigades redeploy to Shabwa
• 2022
  • Jan. | The Giants Brigades launch Operation Southern Cyclone in Shabwa and Marib
  • Jan. | The militias change their name to ‘Southern Giants Brigades’
  • Apr. | Muharrami is appointed member of the PLC