Saudi Defense Minister: Transitional Council forces must be removed from Hadramawt and Al-Mahra
In a significant development in the Yemeni landscape, informed sources have relayed statements attributed to Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman indicating that the time has come for the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw its forces from camps located in the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates. This directive comes within the framework of ongoing efforts led by Saudi Arabia to restructure the Yemeni political landscape and unify ranks under the Presidential Leadership Council.
Context of the Riyadh Agreement and Military Restructuring
This development cannot be separated from the long process of implementing the Riyadh Agreement and the subsequent Riyadh consultations, which clearly stipulated the need to integrate all military and security formations under the umbrella of the Yemeni Ministries of Defense and Interior. The security and military file has always been the most significant obstacle to stability in the liberated governorates, as the Arab Coalition leadership seeks to end the multiplicity of military loyalties that weakens the legitimacy of the government in the face of major challenges, foremost among them the Houthi threat.
Historical data on the crisis indicates that the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra represent a special case in southern Yemen, given their relatively independent social and tribal structure, and the rejection by a large segment of their local components of any military presence that is not under the official local authority or the national army, which makes the removal of non-local forces a necessary step to defuse the tension.
The strategic importance of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah
This step is of paramount strategic importance, extending far beyond local concerns. Hadhramaut is the largest governorate in Yemen and possesses vast oil and mineral wealth, while Al-Mahra represents Yemen's eastern gateway and a vital strategic asset for Gulf security due to its long borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. The stability of these two governorates is a cornerstone of both Saudi and Yemeni national security.
Observers believe that the Saudi side’s insistence on clearing the camps of forces affiliated with the Transitional Council in these areas aims to enable the “Homeland Shield” forces and the National Army forces to extend their control, which strengthens the state’s presence and blocks the way for any side conflicts that may drain the energy of the Presidential Leadership Council.
Expected impact on the political and military landscape
This move is expected to have far-reaching effects. Locally, it will bolster the confidence of the Hadrami and Mahri communities in the Arab Coalition's commitment to preserving the autonomy of their regions. Regionally, this step reflects Saudi Arabia's desire to create an environment conducive to a comprehensive and lasting peace by removing any obstacles that might hinder the functioning of legitimate state institutions in the interim capital, Aden, or in the eastern governorates.
In conclusion, the Saudi Defense Minister’s statement represents a pivotal turning point, confirming that the current stage requires prioritizing the supreme national interest and adhering to the regular military hierarchy to ensure the restoration of the Yemeni state and the end of the coup.
