Saudi-Backed Forces Advance in Yemen’s Hadhramaut Amid Multipolar Conflict
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Saudi-backed forces have consolidated control over key territories in Yemen’s oil-rich Hadhramaut province, marking a significant shift in the conflict’s dynamics. The advance saw pro-Saudi troops capture the strategic Seiyun International Airport and vital military and financial centers, following the retreat of UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces. This development not only alters the military landscape but also redefines power balances in southern and eastern Yemen, with repercussions extending beyond Hadhramaut’s borders.
The operation was coordinated with local pro-government forces, ensuring swift control of critical points while simultaneous security measures were implemented in urban and rural areas. Analysts note this demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s enduring operational and symbolic military influence in Yemen, bolstered by local allies and air support.
The STC’s withdrawal from Hadhramaut has exposed rifts within the Arab coalition, particularly between Saudi and Emirati strategic priorities in Yemen. Losing control of southern oilfields and vital infrastructure has significantly diminished the STC’s operational capacity while creating new strategic opportunities for Saudi-backed forces to secure ports, airports, and supply routes.
Hadhramaut’s geographic span from the Saudi border to the Arabian Sea, coupled with its hydrocarbon resources, makes it a pivotal prize in Yemen’s conflict. Control enables Saudi-aligned forces to project influence over adjacent regions and key trade corridors, potentially altering southern Yemen’s power calculus. Current territorial control remains fragmented among three main factions: Saudi-backed government forces (holding Hadhramaut, Marib, and Taiz), Houthi rebels (controlling Sanaa and northwestern regions), and the STC (retaining parts of Aden and southern governorates).
