In a significant development on the ground, the Saudi-led coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen announced a limited and precise airstrike targeting a shipment of weapons and military vehicles at the port of Mukalla in Hadramawt Governorate. This operation was carried out in response to security necessities and to protect stability in liberated areas, following the detection of two ships carrying military equipment entering the port without obtaining the necessary official permits from the Joint Forces Command—a move considered a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
Details of the military operation in Mukalla
Sources indicated that the operation targeted military equipment unloaded from two ships arriving from the port of Fujairah, whose tracking systems had been disabled in an attempt to conceal their contents. The coalition confirmed that the airstrike was carried out after gathering all necessary intelligence and documenting physical evidence proving the nature and destination of the shipment, while adhering strictly to the rules of engagement to ensure no collateral damage or civilian casualties in the port or surrounding areas.
The strategic importance of the governorates of Hadramawt and Al Mahrah
This operation is of paramount importance given the geostrategic location of the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates. These two governorates constitute a strategic depth for both Yemeni and Saudi national security, as they share a long border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stretching approximately 700 kilometers. Maintaining stability in these areas and preventing them from becoming hotspots of tension or depots for illicit weapons is a top priority for the Coalition leadership and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, which has called for immediate measures to protect civilians and halt any unjustified military escalation.
Background of UN Resolution 2216 and the repercussions of violating it
Security Council Resolution 2216, adopted in 2015, remains the primary international framework for regulating the military situation in Yemen. It explicitly prohibits the supply of weapons to parties that threaten peace, security, and stability in Yemen. The emphasis on official permits for the entry of ships is part of the UN and Coalition's inspection and verification mechanism to ensure that weapons are not smuggled. Experts indicate that the introduction of large quantities of weapons and military vehicles to support specific factions outside the framework of the state and without prior coordination poses a direct threat to de-escalation efforts and reflects a trend that could further destabilize security in southern and eastern Yemen.
Protecting regional security
This incident underscores the vigilance of the Coalition forces in monitoring land and sea ports to prevent any breaches that could affect the course of military operations or threaten the security of neighboring countries. The strike serves as a firm message that the Coalition will not tolerate any suspicious military movements that violate international resolutions or attempt to impose a fait accompli by force in the liberated provinces, thus ensuring the continuation of efforts to restore state institutions and achieve lasting security for the Yemeni people.
