Saudi Arabia detains “Hadramout Tribal Alliance” chief at Al-Wadiah border crossing

HADRAMOUT, July 23 (YPA) – Saudi authorities on Wednesday detained Sheikh Amr bin Habrish Al-Aliyi, head of the Saudi-aligned Hadramout Tribal Alliance, at the Al-Wadiah border crossing with Yemen as he attempted to leave the kingdom and return to his hometown in Hadramout.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Bin Habrish was detained after deciding to return to the Hadramout Plateau in Ghayl bin Yamin district to block the resumption of oil exports via Al-Dabbah port, which had been announced by Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi.

The sources said the tribal leader remains in custody at the border crossing along with his companions, under direct orders from the Saudi “Special Committee,” reportedly on accusations of defying al-Alimi.

The sources said Bin Habrish’s detention marked a significant shift, given that he had been regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s key allies in Hadramout.

Riyadh had previously supported him in confronting UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) factions in the province in the last year, including by funding the formation of forces affiliated with the alliance under the name “Hadramout Protection.”

Following the expulsion of UAE-backed factions, Saudi Arabia handed control of Hadramout’s Wadi and Desert districts to the ” Dera Al-Watan” factions  and emergency forces, which were trained and equipped at Saudi military camps between 2023 and 2025.

@E.Y.M