Saudi Arabia puts eastern Yemen under guardianship, raises new flag

HADRAMOUT, Jan. 06 (YPA) – Signs of a potential partition of Yemen are emerging, as Saudi Arabia seeks to assert control over the country’s eastern regions, seen as a strategic depth for Riyadh.  This marks a new phase in Yemen’s conflict, where sovereignty is increasingly traded for external protection and regional influence shapes territorial divisions.

The first visible step came when Saudi-backedHadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi raised the flag and played the anthem of the so-called “State of Hadramout” during an official event in Seiyun — the first such move since the 1960s.

Analysts view this not merely as a message to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which aims to establish a “South Arabian State,” but as a preliminary measure toward creating a Saudi-protected entity encompassing Hadramout, Mahra, and Socotra.

Saudi moves appear designed to limit the STC’s options, forcing the group into a corner if it insists on pursuing its southern separatist agenda. Control over eastern provinces would give Riyadh strategic access to the Arabian Sea and enable potential infrastructure projects, including oil pipelines.

The recent developments follow dramatic shifts on the ground. In early December, UAE-backed STC forces advanced into Hadramout and Mahra, seizing camps affiliated with the Islah Party. However, in January, Saudi-led operations forced STC factions to withdraw, targeting their positions across the region and leaving personnel with only personal weapons.

Saudi Arabia is continuing its strategy of consolidating influence in eastern Yemen, including the takeover of Al-Riyan Airport — formerly a UAE military base — and pursuing direct control over key coastal areas. The broader aim appears to be establishing a long-term presence in the region under the guise of local governance, reducing the influence of UAE-backed groups and other national actors.

@E.Y.M