Saudi Arabia hands over Mukalla, Hadramout coast to newly formed faction “Unit 22”

MUKALLA, Oct. 22 (YPA) – The Saudi military command deployed a newly formed faction known as “Unit 22” on Thursday, securing control over several vital service and oil facilities in Yemen’s eastern Hadramout Governorate, according to local sources.

A well-informed local source stated that the Saudi command handed over the security and military dossier in Mukalla to “Unit 22,” which established control over the Republican Palace, Al-Riyan Airport, the Al-Dhabba oil terminal, and other security and military headquarters. This deployment came amid accusations of treason leveled against the factions previously stationed at those facilities.

The source added that the members of the newly formed “Unit 22” are unidentified and wear masks covering their faces, noting that the unit will assume full control of the coastal districts without disclosing the identities of the new recruits.

According to the source, the Saudi command is seeking to relocate all factions currently stationed along the Hadramout coast—particularly the “Hadrami Elite” forces affiliated with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), as well as elements of the Second Military Region—following previous removals carried out by the Saudi-backed “Emergency” and “Dera Al-Watan” forces.

The source indicated that procedures have begun to transfer non-aligned units to frontlines to confront Sanaa forces, enabling Saudi Arabia to establish full control over Hadramout through entirely loyal factions.

This deployment marks the first of its kind conducted by Saudi Arabia in this manner in Hadramout, aiming to root out all non-allied factions from the governorate and solidify a direct military presence for “Unit 22.” The unit carries a political designation directed against southern components that advocate for secession.

YPA