Hadhramaut commemorates the liberation of its coast from Al-Qaeda with a military parade
Hadhramaut Governorate, and specifically its capital city of Mukalla, is celebrating the eighth anniversary of the liberation of the Hadhramaut coast from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which falls on April 24th. To mark the occasion, the city witnessed a large military parade featuring units from the Hadhrami Elite Forces and the Second Military Region, reaffirming the established security and high level of readiness to maintain the gains achieved since then.
Historical background: A year under the rule of terror
The roots of this anniversary go back to April 2, 2015, when al-Qaeda the chaos of the Yemeni civil war to seize complete control of Mukalla, Yemen's fifth-largest city. For a full year, the organization imposed its strict rule on the city and its inhabitants, transforming it into its richest branch in the world after looting the central bank branch and seizing port revenues. This posed a serious threat not only to Yemen but also to regional security and international navigation in one of the world's most important waterways.
The liberation process and its strategic importance
On April 24, 2016, a large-scale military operation was launched to liberate Mukalla and the Hadramawt coast. The operation was led by Hadrami Elite Forces , with significant air and logistical support from the Arab Coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The operation succeeded in expelling ISIS elements from the city within hours, a victory considered a major blow to the terrorist organization, which lost its most important stronghold and main source of funding. The liberation was not only significant locally but also a major international event in the war on terror, and it was praised by many international partners.
Local and regional impact
Locally, the liberation of Mukalla marked a turning point for the people of Hadramawt, restoring normalcy and establishing a new era of security and development. The Hadrami Elite Forces assumed responsibility for the province's security and successfully presented a unique and stable security model compared to other Yemeni regions still plagued by conflict. Regionally, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of relying on local forces in combating terrorism and sent a powerful message that extremist groups cannot establish permanent footholds in the region. The annual commemoration of this anniversary reinforces this message and underscores the continued vigilance and readiness to confront any future security challenges.
