Al-Jabri reveals the secrets of the fall of Mukalla and the events of the great escape in 2015
In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Al-Jabri revealed the secrets and details of the dramatic events that took place in the city of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt Governorate, in the period following what he described as the “great escape,” pointing to the state of security vacuum and the sudden collapse that allowed extremist organizations to extend their control over the strategic coastal city.
The context of the fall and the great escape
The roots of these events can be traced back to April 2015, when the city of Mukalla witnessed a sudden and mysterious withdrawal of military and security forces, which al-Jabri described as "the great escape." This withdrawal was not merely a military maneuver; it signaled the beginning of a dark chapter in the city's history. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula exploited this vacuum to storm the central prison in Mukalla and free hundreds of prisoners, including prominent leaders of the organization, marking a dangerous turning point in the course of events in Yemen.
Chaos and organizational control
Al-Jabri explained that the days following the escape were marked by widespread chaos, as the organization seized control of vital government institutions, including the central bank branch, the port, and the presidential palace. During this period, the residents of Mukalla suffered from the absence of the state and the imposition of strict laws, in addition to the deterioration of basic services and the loss of livelihoods, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the province, which is considered the economic lifeline of Yemen.
Strategic importance and liberation
The events in Mukalla derive their significance from the city's geostrategic location. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, it boasts a vital port and an international airport, in addition to its proximity to the oil fields of Al-Masila. The continued control of the city by terrorist organizations threatened international navigation and regional security. This dark period only ended in April 2016, when the Hadrami Elite Forces, with direct support from the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, launched a swift military operation that successfully liberated and cleared the city. Mukalla returned to state control, revealing the extent of the destruction and chaos left behind by that turbulent period, as recounted by Al-Jabri.
