NYN | News
Tensions are rising in Hadramout after a tribal group announced the formation of a new entity set to challenge the existing alliance led by Sheikh Amr bin Habrish. The move heightens political and military frictions in the oil-rich governorate and opens a new chapter in the struggle for influence and resources.
According to media outlets affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the groups held a meeting on Saturday in the Ras Hawira area of Ghail Bawazir district under the name “The Replicated Hadramout Tribal Alliance.”During the gathering, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed Al-Kathiri was appointed as president for the entity’s first term, in the presence of several sheikhs, tribal leaders, and dignitaries.
The statement issued after the meeting explained that participants had decided to “withdraw confidence” from Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, citing the expiration of the term set out in the founding documents and what they described as violations of the alliance’s goals and principles.
So far, no official comment has been issued by the alliance led by bin Habrish regarding this development.
These events come amid intensifying tensions between the STC and the Hadramout Tribal Alliance in recent days, with signs of widening political and military rifts in eastern Yemen.
Established in 2013, the Hadramout Tribal Alliance is considered one of the most prominent local forces advocating for self-governance in the oil-rich governorate. It has demanded a larger share of oil and gas revenues and maintains a widespread armed presence across the oil plateau areas.
The alliance also commands military formations known as the “Hadramout Protection Forces,” supported by Saudi Arabia and announced last year. Its first brigade was formed this past June and is deployed across Wadi Hadramout districts and around oil and gas facilities.
In a counter-escalation, the alliance held an expanded meeting on Thursday in the Al-Alyab area, calling for “resistance by all means” to defend Hadramout and its resources. It granted the Hadramout Protection Forces full authorization to act immediately to deter any force coming from outside the governorate, stressing that any foreign deployment would be considered an “occupation” and would be met with force.
