Saudi Arabia pushes its forces to control Mukalla city of Hadramout

HADRAMOUT, Jan. 18 (YPA) – The commander of the Saudi “Support Forces,” Sultan Al-Baqmi, arrived on Wednesday in Hadramout province, eastern Yemen, following armed tensions between the factions loyal to the UAE and Saudi Arabia amid the latter’s efforts to control the province’s coastal districts.

Informed sources in Hadramout reported that Al-Baqmi arrived in Mukalla city, the province capital, during the past hours to meet with the leadership of the local authority and the “second military region” loyal to the Saudi-led coalition to review what he called “the security situation and the necessary measures to enhance security in Hadramout.”

The sources reported that Saudi Arabia is seeking to extend its control over the coastal districts through the “Dera Al-Watan” factions, amid rejection by the leadership of the UAE-backed factions, “Hadrami Elite,” which take Mukalla as their headquarters.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia is trying to impose its control over Hadramout, and it appears that Riyadh’s movements have accelerated following the formation of the so-called “Hadramout Council” last June as well as the announcement of the establishment of the so-called “Unified Council of the Eastern Provinces” in the city of Sayoun last Tuesday.

YPA