Yemen Monitor / Mukalla / Exclusive:
The Governor of Hadramawt, Salem al-Khanbashi, announced that the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces have agreed to withdraw from the governorate and return to the areas they originated from. This significant development follows recent security and political tensions witnessed in Hadramawt.
In a recorded video statement, Al-Khanbashi stated that the STC forces agreed to the withdrawal. He called upon the Hadrami Elite and Nation’s Shield (Dara’ al-Watan) forces to fill the vacuum left by the departing units and to establish security and stability in the governorate.
The Governor also urged Hadrami natives who are members of the STC to join the Hadrami Elite forces, emphasizing the importance of unifying ranks under the umbrella of local security forces to enhance the governorate’s stability.
He added, “In truth, there was some stalling in responding to the call addressed to them, but we now see that the first signs of progress have begun. Matters will return to their previous calm state in Hadramawt, and these forces will return to the places they came from.”
He continued: “I call upon the Hadrami Elite, security personnel, and members of the Nation’s Shield to play an active role in filling the gaps left during the withdrawal. They must maintain security and public peace, and not allow any encroachments on public or private property, as occurred previously in Wadi Hadramawt at the hands of the STC.”
Furthermore, he called on locals belonging to the STC and security support units to withdraw and instead enlist in the Nation’s Shield and official security forces. “Protect people’s property, interests, and public assets because they belong to the state; establish security and stability,” he said.
This announcement follows previous statements by the Governor calling for the immediate exit of STC forces from Hadramawt and Al-Mahra. He had warned of the consequences of their continued presence, asserting that Hadramawt was never part of what he described as the “geographical component of the so-called South Arabia.”
In television remarks, he also confirmed the readiness of local forces to retake control of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, while expressing hope to avoid military confrontation and stressing the necessity for what he termed “incoming forces” to return to their original regions.
