Giants Brigades

The Giants Brigades are a pro-government Yemeni military force that grew from the Southern Resistance. Their fighters are drawn mainly from southern tribes in Lahej, Abyan and Dhale, and many follow Salafist currents. The United Arab Emirates has been the force's main external backer, providing arms, finance and training.

The brigades specialise in operations along Yemen's Red Sea coast and against the Houthis. They fought around Hodeidah and later helped remove Houthi forces from Shabwa, building experience in coastal and desert operations. Their separate command structure makes them a partner of Yemen's internationally recognised government rather than a conventional national brigade. They also sit within a fragmented anti-Houthi camp that includes southern separatists, local forces and units aligned with the Presidential Leadership Council.