NYN | News
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued, today Thursday, an unprecedented warning directed at the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, demanding their immediate withdrawal from the oil-rich governorate of Hadramout and from Al-Mahrah, following military movements described as “unilateral” and uncoordinated.
In an official statement published on its account on the “X” platform, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the recent military movements carried out by the STC in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah were conducted without the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council or coordination with the Coalition leadership. This, the statement said, has led to an unjustified escalation that threatens security and stability in eastern Yemen.
Withdrawal of forces and handover of camps
The statement stressed the necessity for STC forces to return to their previous positions outside the two governorates and to hand over the camps they had taken control of to the “Homeland Shield” forces and local authorities. This is to be carried out through organized procedures and under the supervision of Coalition forces, in a manner that ensures containment of tensions and prevents the situation from sliding into military confrontation.
The statement clarified that the Kingdom has worked, in coordination with the United Arab Emirates, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government, to contain the situation. It noted that a joint Saudi–Emirati military team was dispatched to Aden to arrange the necessary measures with the STC leadership to ensure the smooth implementation of the withdrawal.
Warning of serious consequences
Saudi Arabia affirmed that it continues to prioritize the public interest, calling on the STC to end the escalation and take the initiative to urgently withdraw from the two governorates. It warned that any steps that undermine security and stability could lead to undesirable consequences.
In the same context, the Kingdom reiterated that the Southern Issue is a just cause with historical and social dimensions, and that its resolution lies in comprehensive dialogue among all Yemeni parties within the political process. It reaffirmed its support for the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government in achieving security, stability, and development in Yemen.
Field movements and military signals
This Saudi statement comes amid rapidly unfolding field developments, following the STC’s announcement that it had completed its takeover of oil sites in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah governorate, raising fears of an escalation between the Saudi-backed “Homeland Shield” forces and STC forces.
In this context, local platforms circulated a video clip showing Saudi warplanes flying over the city of Al-Ghaydah, the capital of Al-Mahrah governorate, while releasing warning flares—a move reflecting a state of heightened security alert and close monitoring of the situation in eastern Yemen.
