Armed clashes erupted in Wadi Hadramout between “Dir’ al-Watan” forces affiliated with the Yemeni government and units of the Southern Transitional Council, inside Al-Khasha’a military camp. At the same time, aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes targeting STC positions around the camp.
The fighting comes as part of the so-called “handover of military camps” operation announced by Hadramout governor Salem al-Khanbashi, aimed at reclaiming military sites from STC forces in an organised and peaceful manner. The governor described the move as a preventive measure rather than a declaration of war.
The developments follow a decision by the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, to assign the governor command over “Dir’ al-Watan” forces in the province.
Meanwhile, the Southern Transitional Council rejected any withdrawal of its forces from Hadramout. STC Vice President Ahmed bin Breik called for support for what he termed the “Hadrami Elite Forces” and urged a general mobilisation.
Separately, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, disclosed that STC President Aidarus al-Zubaidi had rejected Riyadh’s efforts to de-escalate tensions and withdraw his forces from the governorate.
The Yemeni government has since expanded its measures by imposing new restrictions on flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in a move aimed at containing the escalation.
The STC responded by refusing to comply and issued an order halting all flights to and from Aden International Airport.
In a separate development, coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki announced the completion of Saudi naval deployment in the Arabian Sea for inspection and counter-smuggling missions.
