Saudi Arabia pushes Shabwa loyalists to declare ‘autonomous rule’

SHABWA, April 15 (YPA) – Intense efforts and movements are underway in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, aimed at pressuring its loyalists in Shabwa Governorate to declare “autonomous rule”—a scenario mirroring recent developments in Hadhramaut earlier this week, well-informed sources revealed

According to the sources, Saudi Arabia is coordinating efforts to reintegrate military and social figures loyal to Al-Islah Party (Yemen’s Muslim Brotherhood affiliate) into Shabwa’s local scene. These individuals were previously sidelined under the rule of Awad Al-Wazir, the UAE-backed governor who has been residing in Abu Dhabi for years.

The sources noted that the demands of Shabwa’s people focused on achieving developmental services funded by local resource revenues—free from what they describe as ‘corrupt leadership’—along with ending security chaos and terminating external guardianship over the governorate’s resources, in a clear reference to the UAE.

Saudi Arabia is actively deploying locally-backed factions—including the “General National Council of Shabwa” and the “Shabwa Tribal Alliance”—to consolidate efforts and strengthen Riyadh’s presence in the oil-rich governorate. This move capitalizes on growing public resentment against UAE-backed authorities, according to the sources.

The sources indicated that Shabwa is heading toward a sudden and unexpected shift, driven by the suffering of its citizens amid the collapse of basic services and widespread security chaos ravaging the province, according to the sources.

They noted that among the top priorities of Saudi-backed factions is to sponsor a general tribal reconciliation to end inter-tribal feuds and to work toward the removal of armed groups brought in from outside the province, including terrorist elements.

@E.Y.M