A Saudi strike in Hadramawt and the Southern Transitional Council's stance on coordination

Hadhramaut Governorate, the largest and most strategically important governorate in Yemen, witnessed significant security and military developments, including a Saudi warning strike. This move reflects the Kingdom's commitment to maintaining security and preventing any escalation that could destabilize this sensitive region. In response, the Southern Transitional Council demonstrated political and military flexibility, declaring its full openness to coordinating with the Arab Coalition leadership in an effort to contain the situation and unify efforts.

General context and historical background of the conflict in Hadhramaut

This event cannot be understood in isolation from the complex historical and political context of the province. Hadramawt has always been a pivotal point in the Yemeni landscape, not only because it holds the country's largest oil reserves, but also because of its geographical location bordering Saudi Arabia, making its security an integral part of Saudi national security. Since the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, tensions have emerged regarding military and security influence in the province between the Hadrami Elite Forces, affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council, and the "Homeland Shield" forces, which were formed with Saudi support as a strategic reserve force under the command of the President of the Leadership Council.

This warning strike comes at a time when the province is witnessing broad political and social activity, especially after the formation of the "Hadhramaut National Council," which is seen as an entity that aims to represent the aspirations of the province's people away from sharp polarization, which has increased the intensity of political competition in the region.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

This development has profound implications at the local and regional levels:

• Locally, the warning strike confirms that the Saudi-led Arab coalition will not permit any unilateral military actions that could threaten civil peace in Hadramawt or disrupt the work of legitimate institutions. Furthermore, the Southern Transitional Council's response and its emphasis on "openness to coordination" indicate political maturity and a desire to avoid direct confrontation with its strategic ally, preferring dialogue to address the security situation.
• Regionally, these moves reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to securing its southern borders and ensuring the stability of liberated areas, particularly in light of the ongoing Houthi threats. The stability of Hadramawt is a cornerstone of any future political settlement in Yemen, and any security breach there could negatively impact the peace efforts sponsored by the United Nations and international partners.

In conclusion, these facts indicate that the next phase in Hadramawt will require more joint coordination among all components opposed to the Houthi project, under the umbrella of the Arab Coalition, to ensure that the compass does not deviate from the main goal of restoring the state and establishing security and stability.