UAE-Backed Forces Advance on Saudi-Affiliated Positions in Yemen’s Hadramaut
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, UAE-backed forces are moving to capture the final positions held by the Saudi-affiliated government in the Seiyun region, amid Saudi Arabia’s apparent withdrawal of support for the Hadramaut Tribes Coalition. This shift suggests a nearing end to conflicts within the Hadramaut province.
Forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, have reportedly been advancing towards positions controlled by the Saudi-supported Hadramaut Tribes Coalition in the oil-rich Hadramaut province. Local sources in Hadramaut confirm that numerous STC troops are advancing towards the outskirts of Seiyun city, the capital of Wadi Hadramaut, and the adjacent city of Tarim. Elements from the STC-affiliated Support and Backup Brigades have also allegedly gained control over the Wadi Sa’ah area in Wadi Hadramaut.
Field sources in Hadramaut indicated that elements from the Shabwa Defense Forces, also affiliated with the UAE, have advanced in the Doan axis. This movement coincided with the military deployment of the Barshid Brigade, consisting of dozens of armored vehicles, from the Abyan province towards the Al-Khash’ah region, another strategic oil area in Wadi Hadramaut. The operation aims to control oil fields and dismantle the Saudi-affiliated 135th Infantry Brigade.
A field source told Al-Akhbar that “transitional” forces crossed the Al-Masila oil field area in Wadi Hadramaut, without encountering resistance from the Hadramaut Tribes Coalition. Observers note that Saudi Arabia has recently limited its support to the “Homeland Shield Forces” within Hadramaut, ceasing support for the “Hadramaut Tribes Coalition.” This change suggests significant shifts in the conflict dynamics within Hadramaut, which controls 70% of Yemen’s oil reserves.
