Hadramawt Authorities Hold the UAE Responsible for Failure to Handover Al-Riyan Airport, Warn of Security Vacuum Consequences

Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:

The local authority in Hadramawt Governorate held the United Arab Emirates responsible for the chaos and looting attempts that affected weapons and ammunition facilities at Al-Riyan International Airport in the city of Al-Mukalla. It stated that this resulted from the failure to hand over the airport to the local authority following the withdrawal of Emirati forces.

The local authority’s leadership explained that the lack of an official handover of the airport contributed to the creation of a serious security vacuum, which was exploited by outlaw elements. It stressed that any infringement on sovereign and security facilities and vital entry points constitutes a direct threat to Hadramawt ’s security and stability.

In this context, the Governor of Hadramawt directed the security services and the leadership of the Hadrami Elite Forces to raise the level of maximum readiness, impose full security control over Al-Riyan International Airport, and firmly confront any attempts to loot weapons or tamper with the governorate’s resources, while maintaining public calm and preventing any manifestations of security disorder.

The local authority affirmed its categorical rejection of any attempts by parties or forces from outside the governorate to exploit these circumstances to carry out looting or sabotage acts, stressing that Hadramawt and its resources belong to its people and to the state, and that its cities will not be allowed to be turned into arenas of chaos or venues for settling scores.

The local authority also called on tribal leaders, dignitaries, social figures, and all citizens of the governorate to stand alongside state institutions and the security and military agencies, contribute to protecting public and private property, and confront any attempts that threaten the security and stability of the governorate.

It warned that anyone proven to be involved in acts of tampering or looting will be referred to legal and judicial accountability, affirming the continuation of coordination with higher authorities to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control.