According to reports, the commander of the 153rd Brigade of the pro-Saudi forces was identified as Brigadier General Mohammad Salih Al-Aqili. He was considered to be among the most prominent military leaders fighting on behalf of Hadi.
Al-Aqili assumed command of the brigade in succession to his brother, Ahmed Salih Al-Aqili, who was killed by a landmine in Al-Bayda province in June 2018. A third brother, Abd Al-Hadi, was also killed while fighting in Yemen.
Prior to his death, Al-Aqili was transferred to the Abyan province, specifically to the Sheikh Salem Front, to confront the UAE-backed militias in clashes in the Shakra area, located on the eastern outskirts of provincial capital Zinjibar.
Citing an Abyan-based security source, Xinhua reported that the Emirati-sponsored forces fired a heat-seeking missile that killed the commander, along with six bodyguards.
Since last month, infighting has intensified between the Saudi-backed Islah militia and Emirati-supported militants across southern Yemen.