The coalition targets an arms shipment at the port of Mukalla in support of legitimacy

The official spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki al-Maliki, announced that a limited, targeted military operation was carried out this morning against a shipment of weapons and military vehicles that had been illegally unloaded at the port of Mukalla in Hadramawt Governorate. This operation was conducted in response to an official request from the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, with the aim of protecting civilians and enforcing state authority.

Details of the violation and military operation

Major General Al-Maliki explained that intelligence confirmed the entry of two ships arriving from Fujairah Port into Mukalla Port on Saturday and Sunday (December 27-28, 2025) without obtaining the necessary permits from the Joint Forces Command. The crews of the two ships disabled their navigation tracking systems as a form of deception and unloaded large quantities of weapons and military vehicles intended to support the Southern Transitional Council forces in the eastern governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra. Al-Maliki confirmed that the airstrike was carried out with high precision after documenting the unloading operation, and in accordance with international humanitarian law to ensure no collateral damage occurred.

General context: The importance of stability in the eastern governorates

These developments come at a time when the Yemeni arena is witnessing concerted efforts to unify ranks and end the Houthi coup. The governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra hold immense strategic and geopolitical importance, having long remained untouched by the direct military conflicts that have ravaged other parts of Yemen. Attempting to flood these areas with weapons outside the framework of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens the social fabric and civil peace in these governorates, which are the economic lifeblood of Yemen. This necessitates decisive intervention to prevent them from becoming a new conflict zone.

Legal and international dimensions of the event

The smuggling of weapons to any faction outside the framework of the legitimate government constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions, specifically Resolution 2216 (2015), which prohibits the supply of weapons to entities that threaten peace and security in Yemen. This operation underscores the Coalition’s commitment to supporting the legitimate Yemeni government, represented by the Presidential Leadership Council, and preventing any attempts to impose a fait accompli by force of arms that could impede the comprehensive political solution sponsored by the United Nations and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Coalition messages: No tolerance for threats to security

Major General Al-Maliki concluded his statement by affirming the Coalition leadership's continued efforts to de-escalate the conflict, emphasizing that the Coalition will not permit any military support from any regional or international party to reach any Yemeni faction without full coordination with the legitimate government. This operation sends a clear message that the security and stability of Yemen, and its territorial integrity, are a red line that cannot be crossed, and that the ultimate goal remains ending the conflict and achieving lasting peace for the Yemeni people.