Hadhramaut Governor Launches Military Operation to Take Over "Southern Transitional" Positions

SadaNews - The Yemeni News Agency reported today, Friday, that the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, has issued a decision appointing the Governor of Hadhramaut, Salim Al-Khanbashi, to take command of the General Forces of "Dira' Al-Watan" in the governorate.

The official agency mentioned that the decision of the President of the Leadership Council grants Al-Khanbashi "all military, security, and administrative powers necessary to restore security and order in the governorate."

It added that the decision stipulates the end of the assignment "upon the completion of the reasons that led to it or by issuing a decision from the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, which cancels this assignment."

Al-Khanbashi confirmed in a video statement after his appointment that the Southern Transitional Council deliberately rejected all responsible solutions for de-escalation. He pointed out that the "Transitional" forces prepared plans aimed at creating widespread chaos in Hadhramaut.

He also announced that "(Dira' Al-Watan) has launched a military operation under the name of 'Receiving the Camps,' aimed at taking over military sites peacefully and orderly." He added that "the military operation is not a declaration of war but a responsible preventive measure."

He emphasized that "the operation does not target any political or social component nor civilians" in Hadhramaut.

The Governor of Hadhramaut noted in his address that the local authority and state institutions had made significant efforts with Saudi Arabia "to open all political doors and provide all channels for dialogue and understanding, believing that politics is the safest way to address disputes and that Hadhramaut cannot be a battlefield or chaos."

He continued by saying: "However, unfortunately, we faced a complete closure of all political doors and a deliberate rejection of any responsible solutions, accompanied by a systematic preparation of plans aimed at creating widespread chaos, chaos that could spiral out of control and lead to substantial losses that neither the state nor society can mitigate the impact on citizens' lives and their security and stability."

Al-Khanbashi called on all community forces in Hadhramaut to play their national role in this "sensitive" phase, stressing that the governorate should not be dragged into "the square of conflict or used as a pressure tool or a battleground for settling scores."

This comes after the "Dira' Al-Watan" forces expressed their readiness yesterday to take over military sites and points from the Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah.

The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, stated in a post on "X" today, Friday, that the President of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, refused to grant landing permission for a plane carrying a Saudi delegation in Aden yesterday.

Al-Jaber added: "The Kingdom has been making every effort with the Southern Transitional Council to end the escalation for several weeks up until yesterday... However, it faced continuous rejection and obstinacy from Aidarus Al-Zubaidi."

Al-Jaber noted that Al-Zubaidi "issued direct directives to close air traffic at Aden Airport," adding that the Saudi delegation aimed to find solutions to the crisis in Yemen.