The governor of Hadramawt demands the evacuation of Al-Rayyan airport and presidential intervention

In a significant development in Yemen's eastern provinces, the governor of Hadramawt, Salem al-Khanbashi, issued a strongly worded warning to the forces and elements affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council stationed at Riyan International Airport. The governor demanded the immediate evacuation of the airport without any delay, hinting at decisive military action should this sovereign demand be ignored.

The governor stressed in his statements that the local authority will not stand idly by while formations not subject to the unified official decision continue to control vital facilities, stressing that in the event of non-compliance and evacuation of the airport, the intervention of the Arab coalition forces will be requested to target those elements, which portends a dangerous escalation that may change the map of alliances and stability in the oil-rich province.

Presidential Leadership Council moves

Concurrently with this escalation on the ground, the highest authority in the country intervened in the crisis. Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, announced that he was closely monitoring the progress of retaking military camps and extending state authority in Hadramawt. Al-Alimi emphasized his strong commitment to protecting civilians and preventing any side conflicts in the province that could jeopardize civil peace.

The head of the Presidential Leadership Council pointed out that the top priority at the present time is to secure public services for citizens in Hadramawt, and to work to alleviate the humanitarian suffering that Yemenis are experiencing, stressing the need to unite ranks to confront economic and security challenges instead of being drawn into internal power struggles.

The strategic importance of Al Rayyan Airport

Al-Rayyan International Airport holds immense strategic and economic importance for Hadramawt Governorate and Yemen as a whole. It is not merely an air gateway, but a vital lifeline for the country's largest governorate. The airport has suffered prolonged closures, negatively impacting travel, patient transport, and commercial activity, making its full reopening under state supervision a pressing public demand for the people of the governorate.

Background of the tension in Hadhramaut

These developments come amidst a period of political and military tension in Hadramawt Governorate, where various factions are vying to consolidate their influence in this resource-rich region. Hadramawt is considered pivotal in the Yemeni political landscape due to its strategic location and vast oil and mineral wealth. The Presidential Leadership Council seeks to establish a model of federalism or self-governance that guarantees the rights of the governorate's residents and prevents its descent into the conflicts that have ravaged other parts of the country, while simultaneously calling for the protection of vital infrastructure and sovereign facilities from any military confrontations.