Political and social groups from Hadramawt province in eastern Yemen have formed an organisation to campaign for their rights.
The founding of the Hadramawt National Council was announced in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“The new council aims to serve as a political platform to express the aspirations and represent the interests of the Hadhrami community in Yemen,” the group said.
The creation of the council followed more than a month of talks sponsored by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.
The coalition was formed to support Yemen's internationally recognised government after Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The ensuing civil war led to the formation of numerous regional militias that have supported the Yemeni army in fighting the rebels, but have also occasionally turned against each other.
“We agreed on one political charter that will represent Hadramawt locally, regionally and internationally on all issues,” Bader Baslamah, the head of the council, told reporters in Riyadh.
The council's charter, described by its leaders as "comprehensive and responsible", stipulates that it will stand against “the establishment of any military formations outside state institutions”.
Those in attendance in Riyadh said they had formed the council after consultations with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Yemen's governing body created last year through Saudi mediation to reach a "comprehensive political solution" to the civil war.
“I was pleased with the frank and transparent meeting today with the people of Hadramawt province, who always embody the spirit of responsibility in distancing their governorate and the liberated areas from any conflicts," PLC chairman Rashad Al Alimi said.
Mr Al Alimi praised Hadramawt residents' devotion to developing and rebuilding their region, and confronting "lurking" Iranian influence.
Hadramawt is the biggest province in southern Yemen. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) advocates greater autonomy for the country's south, or even the creation of a separate state, as had existed until 1990.
Much of northern Yemen remains under Houthi control, the while the government controls most of the south.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
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