The coalition requests the evacuation of the port of Mukalla in preparation for a military operation

Informed sources reported that the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen has issued an urgent request to evacuate commercial vessels from the Yemeni port of Mukalla. This move is interpreted as a prelude to a major military operation aimed at regaining control of the strategic coastal city. This development comes amidst escalating security tensions in Hadramawt Governorate, and ongoing efforts by the Yemeni government and the coalition to end the control of armed groups over vital infrastructure.

Military and security context

The order to evacuate the port is a strong indication that the operation to liberate Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, which has long suffered under the control of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, is imminent. Such measures are typically preceded by amphibious landings or precise airstrikes targeting weapons depots and command centers belonging to the militants, in order to avoid any collateral damage to commercial vessels and civilians that might result from the anticipated clashes.

Historical background of the crisis in Mukalla

The roots of the crisis in Mukalla can be traced back to April 2015, when al-Qaeda exploited the chaos resulting from the Houthi coup and the ensuing civil war to seize control of the city. Since then, the port of Mukalla has become a major financial lifeline for the organization, with reports indicating that it was generating millions of dollars daily from customs revenues and the smuggling of petroleum products, enabling it to finance its operations and recruit more members.

Strategic and economic importance

The port of Mukalla holds paramount strategic importance as the main seaport for Hadramawt Governorate, the largest and oil-rich governorate in Yemen. Recapturing the port is a crucial step for several reasons:

• Economically: Redirecting financial revenues to the Yemeni state treasury instead of the pockets of armed groups, which contributes to improving the deteriorating economic situation.
• From a security standpoint: securing the Yemeni coasts and preventing the flow of smuggled weapons that fuel the conflict and prolong the war.
• Humanitarian: Ensuring safe and sustainable access to relief aid for the population in the eastern regions of Yemen.

Regional and international impact

The importance of this operation extends beyond Yemen's domestic affairs to encompass regional and international security. The continued control of ports by armed groups threatens international shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Therefore, the success of the coalition and the Yemeni army in retaking Mukalla would represent a decisive blow to terrorism in the region and enhance the prospects for stability in southern Arabia, aligning with relevant UN Security Council resolutions that emphasize the need to restore Yemeni state institutions.