Coalition strike in Mukalla: Foiling arms smuggling in violation of Resolution 2216
In a significant development on the ground, reflecting the resolve of the Joint Forces Command in addressing security threats, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen conducted a limited, targeted military operation at the port of Mukalla in Hadramawt Governorate. The operation targeted a military shipment containing weapons and armored vehicles that had been brought in via two ships arriving from the port of Fujairah without the necessary official permits, a move considered a clear violation of international resolutions and the protocols in place within the Coalition.
Details of the operation and the blatant violation
Military sources confirmed that the two ships disabled their navigation tracking systems in an attempt to conceal their activities before unloading a large cargo of military equipment to support the Southern Transitional Council forces. The coalition airstrike followed meticulous monitoring and documentation of physical evidence proving a violation of the arms embargo. The strike was carried out according to strict rules of engagement that ensured the neutralization of the threat without causing collateral damage to the port's infrastructure or civilian casualties.
Background of Resolution 2216 and the importance of adhering to it
This military action is based on the legal framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, adopted in April 2015 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. This resolution prohibits the supply of weapons to armed groups outside the control of the legitimate government and aims to prevent the escalation of internal conflict. Violating this resolution by introducing weapons without coordination with the coalition leadership sets a dangerous precedent that threatens to undermine international efforts to achieve peace and reflects a tendency to impose a fait accompli by force of arms, bypassing political agreements.
The strategic importance of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah
This incident is of paramount importance given the sensitive geopolitical location of the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates. These two governorates constitute Yemen's strategic depth and share a long land border with Saudi Arabia, stretching for approximately 700 kilometers. Attempts to militarize these areas and support armed factions within them not only threaten local stability but also directly impact the national security of the Kingdom and the region. The military action came in response to a request from the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to protect civilians and prevent these relatively safe areas from becoming a new battleground.
