Khalid bin Salman orders the Southern Transitional Council to leave Hadramawt and Al-Mahra: Details
In a significant political and military development within the complex Yemeni landscape, informed reports indicate that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who is responsible for the Yemeni file, has issued a clear and explicit call to the leadership of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to withdraw its forces and refrain from military escalation in the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates. These directives come as part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to manage internal disputes among anti-Houthi factions and to ensure the stability of the eastern governorates, which represent a strategic depth for both Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The general context and tensions in eastern Yemen
The past period has witnessed escalating tensions between the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks to impose its control over all southern governorates, and local forces in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, who maintain their autonomy and reject complete subordination to the STC's project. Hadramawt, the largest governorate in Yemen and rich in oil, and Al-Mahra, Yemen's eastern gateway on the border with Oman, are considered highly sensitive regions. STC forces have repeatedly attempted to expand their influence there, provoking the ire of local tribal and political groups and prompting direct Saudi intervention to prevent the situation from deteriorating into an internal conflict that would undermine efforts to restore the state.
The strategic importance of the Saudi decision
Prince Khalid bin Salman's call gains its importance from several strategic and political angles:
- Maintaining the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council: Riyadh seeks to preserve the cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council, which includes representatives from various factions, including the Southern Transitional Council. Any military conflict in the east could fracture this council and collapse the fragile political consensus.
- Regional security: Al-Mahra and Hadhramaut are vital border regions. Their stability is an integral part of Saudi and Gulf national security, and the Kingdom fears that a security vacuum or internal conflict could create a fertile ground for extremist groups or smuggling operations.
- Focus on the common enemy: The Saudi strategy aims to unite all forces against the Houthi group, or to push for a comprehensive peace process, which requires freezing side disputes in the liberated areas.
Historical background and expected effects
Historically, Hadramawt has enjoyed a special status and distinct identity, a fact that was clearly demonstrated by the recent formation of the "Hadramawt National Council" with Saudi support. This council serves as a political vehicle for the demands of the province's residents, moving beyond sharp polarization. The recent directives for the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw from these areas strengthen the position of local forces and underscore Saudi support for empowering the province's residents to manage their own security and administrative affairs, particularly with the formation of the "Homeland Shield" forces, which report directly to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council.
This move is expected to reduce media and military tensions in southern Yemen and rearrange priorities within the legitimate camp, paving the way for more comprehensive and stable political negotiations in the next phase.
