Yemen's internationally recognized government has reclaimed full control of Hadramout province 🛢️ after a swift Saudi-backed operation forced out fighters loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC). This marks a key moment in the long-running conflict that has shaped Yemen's future since 2014.
Government troops entered Mukalla, the vibrant port capital, after sustained Saudi air strikes 🇸🇦 drove STC fighters to withdraw. Locals report that soldiers are now patrolling the streets, securing state institutions–though moments of chaos led to some looting at Al Rayyan airport amid clashes between residents and newly arrived tribal fighters.
In Seiyun, Hadramout's second-largest city, government units also retook strategic sites, including the airport, roughly a month after it fell to separatist control. Meanwhile, in neighboring Al-Mahrah province, STC forces pulled back without a fight, handing over government buildings and the presidential palace to local authorities.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, has ordered security forces to protect public and private property, urging all residents to treat these facilities as theirs to preserve. Hadramout Governor Salem al-Khanbashi echoed this call, highlighting that Mukalla's infrastructure "belongs to the people of Hadramout."
Despite the military push, the operation came at a cost: Saudi air raids reportedly killed over 20 people and wounded dozens, underscoring the conflict's human toll. The STC, which last month declared a two-year transitional period toward southern independence, has yet to officially comment on its withdrawal from Hadramout and Al-Mahrah.
On Sunday, the STC welcomed Saudi Arabia's invitation to a southern dialogue conference, calling dialogue "the only rational and sensible means" to address political disputes. This shift hints at a potential new chapter where talks, rather than bullets, steer Yemen's path forward.
As Yemen navigates this critical juncture, many young Yemenis–like you navigating a new tech startup or a bustling city street–know that rebuilding peace can be as complex as coding a breakthrough app. The question now is: will both sides sit at the table and level up for a future that works for everyone?
Reference(s):
Yemeni govt says its forces retake oil-rich Hadramout from separatists
cgtn.com
