Haydan denies that al-Qaeda members and Iranians escaped from Mukalla prisons
Yemeni Interior Minister, Major General Ibrahim Haidan, categorically denied recent reports of the escape of prisoners belonging to al-Qaeda or Iranian nationals from central prisons in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt Governorate. In an exclusive statement to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the minister asserted that these reports were completely unfounded and part of malicious rumors aimed at destabilizing security and stability in liberated areas.
Haydan explained that the security forces in Hadramawt Governorate, particularly along the Hadramawt coast, are operating with high efficiency and complete vigilance. He emphasized that prisons are under tight security and strict measures are in place to prevent such alleged breaches. The Minister of Interior called on media outlets and social media activists to be accurate and credible, and to obtain information from official sources, rather than being swayed by rumors that serve parties hostile to the state.
Context of events and the security importance of Mukalla
The Interior Minister's statements are particularly significant given the security history of Mukalla and Hadramawt Governorate in general. Mukalla was under the control of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) for a full year, beginning in April 2015, when the organization exploited the chaos resulting from the Houthi coup to extend its influence over the city and its resources. In April 2016, Yemeni forces, with direct and substantial support from the Arab Coalition, successfully liberated the city in a swift and decisive military operation, marking a major turning point in the war on terror in Yemen.
Since its liberation, Mukalla has witnessed remarkable security stability compared to other Yemeni regions, thanks to the efforts of the Hadrami Elite Forces and various security agencies. Therefore, any talk of terrorist elements escaping directly undermines the city's security reputation, which is considered a model of stability in Yemen, and is an attempt to cast doubt on the capabilities of the security forces that defeated the extremist organization years ago.
The dimensions and timing of the rumors
Observers of Yemeni affairs believe that implicating "Iranian elements" in the escape rumors carries serious political and security implications, aimed at sowing confusion and inciting public opinion, especially given the ongoing accusations against the Iranian regime of supporting the Houthi group and supplying it with military experts. The minister's denial serves to thwart attempts to exploit these rumors to inflame the internal situation in the strategic oil-rich province.
Hadhramaut Governorate, which comprises a third of Yemen's landmass, is the country's economic lifeline, home to its most important oil fields, the strategic port of Al-Dhaba, and Al-Rayyan Airport. Therefore, maintaining its security and stability is not merely a local concern, but a paramount necessity for the legitimate government and for regional security, to ensure that extremist groups do not once again use the region as a platform to threaten international shipping or neighboring countries.
