ALBAWABA - Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced on Friday that its forces had successfully repelled what they characterized as an initial assault in Hadramout province. This came a day after airstrikes, which the group attributed to Saudi aircraft, targeted its positions in eastern Yemen.
Anwar al-Tamimi, a representative of the STC, spoke to Al Jazeera, asserting that the advancing forces were not from Hadramout. He labeled the situation a "full-scale aggression" against southern Yemen.
STC-affiliated media had previously reported air raids aimed at southern government-aligned forces. Simultaneously, the National Shield Forces claimed airstrikes struck STC gatherings in the Al-Khasha area of Hadramout.
Mohammed Abdul Malik al-Zubaidi, the head of the STC’s Valley and Desert command in Hadramout, stated that significant forces had moved from Marib toward Hadramout, anticipating an attack. He added that clashes had already commenced with forces "coming from the north."
Clashes erupted, and calls for calm followed.
The Hadramout Tribes Alliance's media chief reported that National Shield Forces and STC units had engaged in a skirmish within the Al-Khasha military camp. However, he emphasized that government-aligned forces were attempting to resolve the matter without further violence. He stated that tribal forces were backing Rashad al-Alimi's directives and urged the STC to prevent further bloodshed and facilitate a secure withdrawal.
Earlier, Hadramout Governor Salem al-Khombashi had declared the commencement of an operation to gain control of military camps in a methodical and peaceful manner. This action came after al-Alimi's appointment of al-Khombashi to lead the National Shield Forces in the province, a move that granted him extensive military, security, and administrative powers to restore order.
Background to the Escalation
The recent flare-up stems from airstrikes conducted earlier this week by the Saudi-led coalition. They claimed the strikes were aimed at weapons and military vehicles that had arrived at the port of Mukalla. These shipments, according to the coalition, came from the UAE’s Fujairah port on two ships. Mukalla is currently under the control of the STC.
The STC, which is pushing for southern Yemen's secession, made unexpected military moves in early December. They declared control over the provinces of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Subsequently, they dismissed regional and local demands to pull back. These actions have significantly strained relations with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and its allies.
