The Southern Transitional Council hands over positions to the Homeland Shield forces in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra

In a move with significant military and political implications, the Southern Transitional Council announced the commencement of procedures to hand over several military sites and checkpoints in the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates to the "Homeland Shield" forces. This step comes within the framework of joint coordination and restructuring of the military and security apparatus in the liberated eastern governorates, ensuring the unification of efforts under the umbrella of the Presidential Leadership Council.

Context of the new military arrangements

This handover is part of a broader plan to reorganize military forces in liberated areas, particularly in strategically and economically important governorates such as Hadramawt and Al-Mahra. The "Homeland Shield" forces (formerly known as the Happy Yemen Forces) are a newly formed military unit established by a decree from the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, with support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to serve as a strategic reserve force contributing to enhanced security and stability.

The strategic importance of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah

The governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra hold paramount importance in the Yemeni equation. Hadramawt represents the largest geographical and economic power due to its vast oil reserves and extensive area, while Al-Mahra forms Yemen's eastern gateway and borders the Sultanate of Oman. Security in these two governorates has long been a central topic of political discussion, with recent efforts aimed at defusing any potential tensions between different factions and focusing on securing these vital areas from external threats or internal instability.

Strengthening unity within the Presidential Leadership Council

Observers of Yemeni affairs believe that the Southern Transitional Council's (STC) response and handover of positions reflects political flexibility and a commitment to the outcomes of the consultations sponsored by the Arab Coalition. This step contributes to strengthening cohesion among the components of the Presidential Leadership Council, which was formed in April 2022 with the aim of unifying the front against the Houthi group. The integration or redeployment of forces, coordinated between the STC and the Homeland Shield forces, reduces the chances of military clashes and unifies security decision-making, thus paving the way for a more stable phase that allows the government to focus on service and economic issues.

Expected impact on the overall landscape

This coordination is expected to positively impact the security situation in the eastern governorates, bolstering the confidence of the international and regional community in the ability of legitimate institutions to maintain security. Furthermore, enabling the "Homeland Shield" forces to assume their responsibilities in these sensitive areas underscores the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting Yemen's stability and restructuring its armed forces to meet the demands of the current phase, whether in the context of war or peace.