Al Ghaydah, Yemen – Forces belonging to the “National Shield,” aligned with the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition, have reportedly taken control of strategic locations within the Al Mahrah Governorate in eastern Yemen. This follows the withdrawal of forces associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) from the area.
Footage obtained by DZWatch purportedly shows National Shield troops arriving to assume control of Al Ghaydah Airport, the capital city’s main airport. Additional images reportedly depict elements of the National Shield securing the Presidential Palace within the governorate.
Earlier on Saturday, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, reportedly tasked Mohammed Ali Yasser, the governor of Al Mahrah, with overseeing the transfer of military camps and normalizing the situation in the governorate.
In early December, STC-affiliated forces, advocating for the secession of southern Yemen, announced their control over several southern governorates, including Al Mahrah. This announcement followed clashes between STC forces and government troops, reportedly backed by air support from the coalition supporting the legitimate government.
The recent developments come after calls from Rashad al-Alimi for a conference to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at bringing together various Yemeni factions for dialogue and to seek appropriate solutions to the southern issue.
The situation remains fluid, and DZWatch continues to monitor developments in Al Mahrah.
