Hadhramaut governor hails successful takeover of Yemeni military camps from STC forces

By Shukri Hussein and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – The governor of Yemen’s eastern province of Hadhramaut said Monday evening that government forces had successfully taken control of military camps previously held by the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

On Friday, Salem al-Khanbashi had said government forces have regained full control of all military sites from the STC forces in the province.

The operation “was carried out smoothly and with a high national spirit, through coordination among various military and security units,” he said in comments carried by the state news agency Saba.

He praised the support of the political leadership “to empower local authorities to carry out their security and military duties in a way that preserves national gains and enhances stability across Hadramout province.”

The STC forces captured Hadhramaut and al-Mahra in eastern Yemen last month, but government forces on Sunday reclaimed full control of the two regions, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of “pushing STC forces to carry out military operations” along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

The STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.