STC returns back to defense squares amid fears of division of Hadramout between ‘Riyadh and Abu Dhabi’

HADRAMOUT, July 06 (YPA) – The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is preparing to celebrate “Land Day” as conflict between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) escalated in Yemen’s southern and eastern provinces.

Many observers believe that the STC has returned to the defense squares in the coastal areas of Hadramout province after the arrival of the head of the Presidential Leadership Council in the city of Mukalla, coming from Riyadh at the end of June.

In the midst of the tug-of-war between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, Hadramout governorate seems to be a candidate for a fragmentation scenario by separating the coastal areas under the control of the UAE factions, so far, and the areas of the Hadramout Valley and Desert controlled by Saudi Arabia and Islah militants.

So far, none of the parties seems to have the ability to impose influence over the areas controlled by the other in Hadramout.

Although the STC decided through its statements to consider the city of Mukalla as an arena for displaying its popularity in Hadramout. From the point of view of some, represents a significant decline in the orientations of the pro-UAE factions, which during the past few months have been talking about wresting the Valley and Desert of Hadramout from the Islah militants, and not preserving Mukalla and the coastal areas of the province.

Some believe that pro-UAE components are under too much pressure to counter Riyadh’s efforts to control the Hadramout coast.

While political analysts do not rule out that the UAE has surprises that may resolve the conflict, such as the coup carried out by Abu Dhabi against Saudi trends by including two members of the “Presidential Council” to the STC last May, which led to the overthrow of the policies that Saudi Arabia had adopted against pro-UAE factions in southern Yemen.

The conflict between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in Hadramout does not seem to deviate from the context of growing US interest in the province.

E.M