Hadramout Governor Meets Mediation Committee: Signs of a Breakthrough in the Governorate’s Crisis
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Governor of Hadramout, Mr. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, met on Tuesday, in Mukalla, with the mediation delegation leading negotiations with the Hadramout Tribal Alliance (HTA), stressing that the efforts of the local authority are focused on de-escalation and restoring normalcy.
Local authority media reported that the Governor listened to the mediation delegation, led by Sheikh Ma’roof bin Abdullah Ba’abad, Mukaddam Ali Salem Baljabali Al-Awthani, and a number of community and tribal dignitaries, regarding their efforts aimed at calming the situation and restoring stability and peace to Hadramout.
The tribal mediation is taking place between the local authority and the HTA, led by Amr bin Habrish, following the Alliance’s seizure of the Al-Masila oil fields on November 29 and its demand for the withdrawal of military forces coming from outside the governorate as a prerequisite for any negotiation.
Al-Khanbashi affirmed that the success of the mediation is a success for everyone, and that the future requires concerted efforts to keep Hadramout united and stable. He called upon everyone to embrace a spirit of responsibility and work together to enhance security and civil peace.
He stressed that the local authority’s endeavors are directed towards de-escalation, restoring normalcy, and striving to re-establish Hadramout’s status as a model for security, peace, and coexistence.
The Governor of Hadramout emphasized the importance of prioritizing the public interest and unifying ranks, affirming that Hadramout, with its historical and civilizational standing, is an incubator for coexistence and social peace. He reiterated the importance of preserving the unity of ranks and protecting the social fabric from disintegration, stating that possessing utmost wisdom is the safety valve, and calming tensions is the optimal way to overcome any dispute.
Hadramout has been witnessing tension since mid-November following threats by the STC, led by Abu Ali Al-Hadrami, to invade the Hadramout plateau, target “Bin Habrish,” and adopt a restructuring of the HTA. Conversely, the latter demands autonomy for Hadramout and rejects the project of ‘South Arabia,’ while also refusing the presence of any military force from outside Hadramout.
The STC continues its military build-up in the Hadramout Valley and Plateau amid media incitement targeting the regional forces, and counter-mobilizations by the 1st Military Region.
