Events in Yemen have rapidly accelerated, particularly following the Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) advances into Hadramaut and Al Mahrah governorates. The STC’s military and political standing appears to have weakened considerably since its eastward expansion.
Analysts suggest the STC’s insistence on military escalation in the eastern governorates proved to be a critical misstep. This escalation triggered a series of dramatic events, highlighting the ongoing conflict and its impact on Yemen.
The escalation can be traced back to late November, specifically to a large gathering of the Hadramaut Tribes Alliance. On November 27th, the alliance convened in the Al-Olayeb region of Hadramaut, resulting in a tribal mandate for “Hadramaut Protection Forces” to confront forces allegedly arriving from outside the governorate.
The STC responded to the tribal alliance’s move by staging a large public rally in Seiyun on November 30th, dubbed the “November 30th Million.”
On December 3rd, the STC launched a military operation called “Promising Future,” targeting military positions affiliated with both government forces and the Hadramaut Tribes Alliance. The clashes resulted in casualties on all sides.
Despite local and regional warnings against military escalation in eastern Yemen, the STC continued its advance. On December 9th, the STC declared it had completed its takeover of Al Mahrah Governorate and Wadi Hadramaut.
Amidst the escalating situation and mounting reports of human rights violations allegedly committed by the STC, Saudi Arabia issued a statement on December 25th. The statement emphasized that the STC’s military movements in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah were carried out “without the approval of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council or coordination with the Coalition to Support Legitimacy.”
In a surprising turn of events on December 30th, Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as leader of the Arab Coalition, reportedly conducted an airstrike on a weapons shipment in the port.
