In the latest development in Yemen’s ongoing conflict, a Saudi-led coalition has executed a strategic airstrike on Mukalla port, aiming to disrupt foreign military assistance to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a key player in the region. This action underscores the complexities of Yemen’s political landscape, where various factions seek to assert control and carve out authority amidst a backdrop of evolving alliances and regional dynamics.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has conducted a limited military operation targeting alleged foreign military support at Mukalla port, following stern warnings to the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) against military escalation in Hadramout province. On Tuesday, coalition air forces targeted unloaded weapons and military vehicles, as reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki revealed that two vessels entered Mukalla port over the weekend without coalition authorization. These ships reportedly disabled their tracking systems and unloaded significant quantities of weaponry and combat vehicles intended to bolster the STC’s position. In response to the airstrike, Rashad al Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, insisted on the immediate withdrawal of all UAE forces from Yemen within a 24-hour timeframe.
The coalition’s airstrike aimed specifically at the dock where the military cargo had been unloaded, with reports indicating that there were no casualties or collateral damage resulting from the operation. It was emphasized that the strike adhered to international humanitarian law, demonstrating a commitment to conduct operations responsibly amid the ongoing conflict.
This military action coincides with increased tensions, particularly after a recent offensive by the STC against Yemeni government troops supported by the coalition. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud urged STC troops to “peacefully hand over” two regional governorates to the legitimate government of Yemen. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for restraint and dialogue, aiming for a sustainable resolution to the crisis.
The STC, which was initially part of the Saudi-led coalition intervention in Yemen starting in 2015, has since sought autonomy in southern Yemen. Having received support from the UAE, the STC has managed to assert control over areas outside Houthi influence, using a Saudi-backed power-sharing framework. However, recent months have seen the STC expand its territory through military actions, resulting in the expulsion of rival government forces.
As the situation unfolds, the conflict in Yemen serves as a critical reflection of broader geopolitical shifts and the complexities of local governance amid external influences, reminding the international community of the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to peace.
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