Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, have taken control of key cities and military positions in the southern provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra following an operation launched Friday against the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The action shifts control of territory along Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia, including the strategic port city of Mukalla.
In a statement issued Saturday, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Yemen’s internationally recognized government, said the Homeland Shield forces had achieved “record success.” He stated the forces were “retaking all military and security positions in the province.”
The government announced it had secured Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout province, which the UAE-backed STC had held since December. By Sunday, government forces were reportedly in control of all nine districts of the neighboring al-Mahra governorate following the withdrawal of STC units, according to Mohammed Omar Suwailam, Director General of the Youth Office for al-Mahra, who spoke with the Anadolu news agency.
The military operation follows an escalation in early December when STC forces took control of Hadramout and al-Mahra, two provinces that constitute nearly half of Yemen’s land area.
An official with the STC told the AFP news agency on Sunday that fighting since Friday had resulted in at least 80 STC fighters killed, 152 wounded, and 130 taken captive. A separate STC military official reported to AFP on Saturday that Saudi warplanes had carried out “intense” air raids on one of the group’s camps west of Mukalla.
Despite the military conflict, the STC released a statement welcoming an offer of dialogue from Saudi Arabia. The group called it a “genuine opportunity” that could safeguard “the aspirations of the southern people.”
In areas now under government control, officials reported a return to civic functions. Al Jazeera Arabic reported that Hadramout Governor Salem Ahmed Said al-Khanbashi arrived at the airport in Seiyun after Homeland Shield forces secured the city. Local sources also told Al Jazeera that life was gradually returning to normal in Seiyun as state institutions resumed operations.
Separately, tensions were reported in the southern port city of Aden. The Yemeni government issued a statement accusing the STC of imposing travel restrictions on citizens. The statement described the alleged measures as “a grave violation of the constitution and a breach of the Riyadh Agreement.” The government called on the STC to “immediately and unconditionally end all restrictions on the movement of citizens,” adding that it would take measures to protect civilians and their freedom of movement.
