[27/12/2025 04:32]

RIYADH - SABA
His Excellency (HE) President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (OLC) met today, Saturday, with the Advisory Board to discuss recent developments in the governorates of Hadhramaut and al Mahra and the Saudi-Emirati ongoing mediation to protect civilians and facilitate the withdrawal of armed elements affiliated with the South Transitional Council (STC) from the two governorates.

HE briefed the Advisory Board on the developments in the eastern governorates, noting that the state has dealt wisely and responsibly with the serious escalation by the military movements of the STC, aiming to enforce a fait accompli by force and undermine the references of the transitional phase.

HE spoke about the course of escalation by the STC in Hadhramaut governorate, which expanded to the districts of Ghayl Bin Yamin, al-Shihr and the Eastern al-Dis.

He said that what is happening cannot be described as a political dispute , but rather a gradual course of unilateral measures that began with administrative decisions, then progressed to military movements and rebellion against the references of the transitional phase agreed upon nationally, regionally and internationally.

The President made it clear that claiming to fight terrorism is nothing but a pretext for changing the balance of control over the land. He stated that combating terrorism is an exclusive responsibility of the state and its institutional bodies and that any actions outside this framework do not contain extremism but rather serve it, creating serious security vacuums.

The Chairman of the Leadership Council also addressed the humanitarian violations accompanying the escalation, noting that field and human rights reports confirm the occurrence of civilian casualties, attacks on public and private property, threats to civil peace, and the social fabric in the governorates of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah, in addition to undermining the legal standing of the Yemeni state.

The President cited the outcomes of the National Defense Council meeting, which concluded with a clear characterization of the escalation as a blatant violation of the transitional phase frameworks and a rebellion against the legitimate state institutions, emphasizing the state's duty to protect civilians, enforce calm and prevent further bloodshed.

He explained that, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council, the political leadership submitted an official request to the Coalition to Support Legitimacy to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Hadhramaut governorate.

This request was promptly responded to by the leadership of the joint forces, out of their keenness to stop the bloodshed and restore the situation to its normal course.

HE added: Based on this joint coordination, any military movements that violate efforts to de-escalate or endanger civilians will be addressed directly, with the aim of protecting lives, ensuring the success of the joint efforts of the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, facilitating the withdrawal of the STC forces from the camps in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra, handing them over to the Homeland Shield Forces, and enabling the local authority to exercise its constitutional and legal powers.

The Chairman of the PLC also reiterated his affirmation of full support for the mediation efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to de-escalation in the eastern governorates, praising the pioneering role of the two brotherly countries in supporting the Yemeni people and its political leadership, alleviating its humanitarian suffering, and achieving its aspirations for security, stability, and peace.

President al-Alimi confirmed that resolving the southern issue will remain a firm commitment of the state, considering it a just cause with historical and social dimensions, and that its resolution must be achieved through consensus and trust-building.

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