Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
A member of the Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Hadramawt, Salem Ahmed al-Khanbashi, announced advanced preparations to hold a broad Hadrami meeting in Saudi Arabia that will bring together various political and social factions, including representatives of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The aim is to formulate a unified strategic vision expressing the will of Hadramawt to be presented to the anticipated Southern Dialogue Conference.
In remarks to the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat from the Saudi capital Riyadh, al-Khanbashi explained that a preparatory committee has been formed in Mukalla to coordinate positions and draft a comprehensive document reflecting the aspirations of political and societal forces, while emphasizing a strong role for Hadrami expatriates abroad as a fundamental pillar in the Hadrami equation.
Al-Khanbashi described the period between December 2025 and January 2026 as a pivotal stage in Hadramawt’s history, noting that the governorate’s residents were able to “assert themselves” and preserve their historical identity in the face of attempts to erase Hadrami distinctiveness.
He considered the current phase the beginning of an “era of consolidating stability,” calling for overcoming differences and unifying ranks in preparation for a comprehensive development launch whose benefits would reach all districts of the governorate.
Regarding what has been called the “battle to take over the camps,” al-Khanbashi stressed that it was not an escalation but rather a calculated operation to prevent Hadramawt from sliding into internal confrontations, protect civilian facilities, and minimize losses.
He affirmed that the measures were accompanied by a clear commitment to civil values, ensuring the withdrawal of forces without retaliatory acts, while emphasizing legal accountability for any party proven to have tampered with public property.
In a related context, al-Khanbashi praised the Saudi role, describing relations with the Kingdom as a deeply rooted historical partnership that goes beyond geography to strong social and cultural ties. He also commended Saudi developmental and humanitarian support that has helped contain crises and advance reconstruction efforts in Hadramawt.
