Accusations against the Southern Transitional Council forces of violations in Hadramawt: Details and repercussions
Human rights reports and local sources have revealed widespread accusations against forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) of committing hundreds of violations in Hadramawt Governorate, Yemen's largest governorate, amidst a climate of political and security tension in the region. These accusations range from arbitrary arrests and restrictions on freedom of expression to security crackdowns targeting activists and political opponents, raising serious concerns about the human rights situation in the oil-rich governorate.
These accusations come amid escalating tensions in Hadramawt, where multiple factions are vying for influence over this strategic region. Reports indicate that the violations attributed to forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council are not isolated incidents. Observers believe they are part of a broader effort to impose a specific political and military reality, particularly in the coastal districts of Hadramawt, and to expand into the valley and desert areas under the control of the First Military Region forces loyal to the legitimate government.
context and historical background
. Since its establishment in 2017, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has sought to represent the southern cause and advocate for secession, managing to seize control of the interim capital, Aden, and other southern governorates. Hadramawt is considered a cornerstone of any unified southern or Yemeni political project due to its vast geographical area, natural resources, and geostrategic location. This intense rivalry between the STC and the internationally recognized Yemeni government has led to instability, negatively impacting the lives of civilians and public freedoms.
The strategic importance and impact of these events
make these accusations particularly significant given Hadramawt's economic and social standing. The governorate, which for a long time remained largely untouched by direct military conflicts compared to other regions, has now become an arena for power struggles that could affect the peace process in Yemen as a whole. The continued occurrence of human rights violations on this scale could fuel public anger and fracture the social fabric of Hadramawt, known for its cohesion. Furthermore, it presents the Presidential Leadership Council with real challenges in controlling the security situation and unifying the military and security institutions in accordance with the Riyadh Agreement.
Internationally, human rights organizations and the United Nations are following with concern reports from southern Yemen, where it is feared that these practices could undermine efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement. Human rights advocates are calling for the formation of impartial investigative committees to examine these allegations and ensure that perpetrators are not allowed to escape punishment, in order to guarantee the stability of the province, which is a vital economic lifeline for Yemenis.
