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Government-aligned forces in Yemen have regained complete control of Hadramevt province in the country's east, expelling groups backed by the Southern Transitional Council after weeks of escalating tensions that drew in regional powers and prompted airstrikes against the separatist group.
Hadramevt Governor Salim al-Hanbesi, who also commands the government's Homeland Shield forces, announced the restoration of control across all areas of eastern Hadramevt on Sunday. Speaking after arriving at Seyun International Airport, Hanbesi said Southern Transitional Council forces had been removed from the province and that work had begun to restore public services to normal operations.
"We are starting to govern Hadramevt from Seyun," Hanbesi said, adding that authorities would take "decisive steps" against security officials accused of abandoning government forces or supporting the opposing side.
The announcement marks a significant shift in control over the strategic province, which is divided administratively into two sections. Mukalla serves as the largest city in the coastal districts, while Seyun functions as the main urban center for the valley and desert regions.
The confrontation in Hadramevt began in early December when forces affiliated with the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council expanded their presence in eastern provinces through military operations. The council, which seeks independence for southern Yemen, had seized military positions throughout Hadramevt during that initial push.
Tensions escalated sharply on December 30 when the Saudi-led Arab Coalition struck military vehicles arriving from the United Arab Emirates. The Yemen government subsequently canceled a joint defense agreement it had signed with the UAE, which maintains a military presence in the country.
Saudi Arabia, responding to the Yemeni government's request, called on the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours. The Emirates announced it was voluntarily dissolving its "counter-terrorism" teams operating in Yemen following the dispute with Riyadh.
On January 2, airstrikes hit military positions in Hadramevt that Southern Transitional Council forces had captured in December. The council claimed the attacks were carried out by Saudi Arabia and responded by declaring a two-year transition period "for independence."
Yemen TV, the state broadcaster, had previously reported that Homeland Shield Forces loyal to the internationally recognized government had reached Mukalla, the provincial capital of Hadramevt.
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