Saudi-backed forces regain control of Yemen’s Hadramout after days of airstrikes

Saudi-backed forces spread across Yemen’s Mukalla after retaking the port city, which was seized by southern separatists last month. The capital of Hadramout province was retaken by Yemen’s internationally recognized government following days of Saudi airstrikes.

Video footage obtained by The Associated Press shows the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces being welcomed by residents as the troops drive through streets in armed vehicles. Forces were also seen driving around and outside Mukalla’s al-Rayyan Airport.

Ahmed Samaan and Bakr al-Ketheri, residents of the Hadramout towns of al-Qatn and Seiyun, told the AP that the Emirati-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council, or STC, had withdrawn from military camps.

Tensions rose after the STC moved last month into the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra and seized an oil-rich region. That pushed out forces affiliated with National Shield Forces, which are aligned with the Saudi-led coalition in fighting the Iran-backed Houthi terror group.

The Houthis also began attacking Israel and maritime traffic in November 2023, a month after the October 7 Hamas massacre. They have held their fire during the current ceasefire.

Yemen has been engulfed in civil war for more than a decade, with the Houthis controlling much of the north and the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government in the south. But the United Arab Emirates, a coalition member, also supports the separatists.