A Yemeni local authority official confirmed that the National Shield forces had taken full control of the 37th Brigade camp in al-Khasha and pushed on to the city of al-Qatn, moving toward the strategic city of Seiyun in Hadhramaut.
Abdulhadi al-Tamimi, assistant undersecretary of Hadhramaut governorate for valley and desert affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat that withdrawing forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council had left a security vacuum at several military sites, saying local authorities, in coordination with residents, were working to address and fill the gap.
Al-Tamimi, who is in Hadhramaut, stated that forces from the Hadhramaut Tribes Alliance and the Hadhramaut Protection Forces are preparing to move toward the coastal area, specifically Mukalla, to support the Hadhrami Elite Forces in maintaining security and preventing clashes with withdrawing STC forces.
The Hadhramaut official thanked Saudi Arabia for its support of Yemen, and Hadhramaut in particular, which he said had endured difficult times.
“We welcome our brothers in the National Shield forces and salute the support of our elder sister, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince and Minister of Defense, for supporting Yemen and backing Hadhramaut, which lived through difficult days due to the invasion of hordes of STC militias into the Hadhramaut Valley and Desert,” he said.
“Those areas had been far from the conflicts Yemen went through and were spared thanks to the wisdom of their people, but this time they came treacherously, seized control of the First Military Region and wreaked havoc there.”
Al-Tamimi stated that the National Shield forces moved at dawn on Friday, following the failure of all de-escalation efforts and attempts to persuade STC leaders to withdraw.
“Unfortunately, many of the STC forces present did not comply with the request to withdraw, leave their weapons and return from where they came, so clashes occurred with support from Saudi air power, and control was taken of the major base, the 37th Armored Brigade camp,” he said.
He added that the forces then advanced to al-Qatn and were heading toward Seiyun, noting that several areas where STC forces had been present were hit by airstrikes, forcing them to flee, most notably the First Military Region.
Al-Tamimi said the rapid withdrawal of STC forces left a security vacuum at camps such as al-Suwayri.
He added that there was also a separate movement on the Hadhramaut, Plateau by the Hadhramaut, Tribes Alliance, led by Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, and the Hadhramaut, Protection Forces, which were joined by many Hadhrami officers and commanders after they took control of the Ghayl bin Yamin camp.
“We are preparing to head to the Hadhramaut, coast to reinforce the Hadhrami Elite Forces there so they are not attacked by the withdrawing force,” he said.
Al-Tamimi stated that the local authority had instructed all districts to form emergency committees to address the situation and secure vital areas until the National Shield forces arrive.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Seiyun received eight wounded people and one fatality as a result of the military developments in Hadhramaut, on Friday, according to local sources.
The Second Military Region issued a statement saying that camps and military sites under its command would remain fully under its responsibility, describing itself as part of the military institution.
The commander of the Second Military Region had previously declared loyalty to the STC, while the statement suggested a shift in position.
The Second Military Region said the Hadhrami Elite Forces “have carried out their national and security duties since their establishment, pledging full commitment to protecting the Hadhramaut coast and its people, maintaining security and social peace, and safeguarding public and private property.
