Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen Executes Military Operation Targeting Weapons and Combat Vehicles

SadaNews - The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced on Tuesday the execution of a limited military operation targeting weapons and combat vehicles that arrived from the UAE at the port of Mukalla in Hadhramaut province, recently controlled by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, in a move that reflects a new escalation in the ongoing Yemeni conflict that has lasted for more than ten years.

The announcement came following the coalition's warning of a military operation and its call for civilians to evacuate the port of Mukalla immediately to ensure their safety, after it threatened to target any military movements of the Transitional Council amid an exchange of accusations between the two parties regarding airstrikes.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Coalition to Support Legitimacy requested civilians to leave the port until further notice, clarifying that this measure aims to protect civilians during the execution of the military operation.

Later, the agency quoted the leadership of the coalition's joint forces stating that the airstrike carried out was limited and precise, resulting in no human casualties or collateral damage within the port.

The coalition explained that it had detected two vessels coming from the port of Fujairah to Mukalla over the past two days without obtaining official permits, indicating that they had disabled tracking systems and unloaded weapons to support the Southern Transitional Council's forces, thus fueling the conflict.

For his part, the official spokesperson for the coalition forces, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, stated that the operation was in response to a request from the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Hadhramaut, in light of what he described as serious violations committed by armed groups affiliated with the Transitional Council.

Al-Maliki affirmed that the coalition continues its joint efforts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to de-escalate, to remove the Transitional Council's forces from camps and hand them over to the Homeland Shield forces, and to enable the local authority to perform its duties, emphasizing that any military movements obstructing these efforts will be addressed directly.

Al-Maliki concluded by reiterating the coalition's steadfast support for the legitimate Yemeni government, calling on all parties to take national responsibility, exercise restraint, and engage in peaceful solutions to maintain Yemen's security and stability.