Fighting among anti-Houthi rivals in Yemen reached the strategic port city of Mukalla on Saturday as rival armed groups announced they had taken control of the city from the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
Residents told The National that forces opposed to the STC were roaming the streets of Mukalla, with some government offices looted by a mix of local residents and newly arrived armed men. The STC has yet to comment.
The city was once a stronghold of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, before southern forces expelled the group in 2016.
Salem Al Khonbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, urged residents to protect public and private property. In a statement, he said that Mukalla’s “facilities belong exclusively to the people of Hadhramaut”, warning that any damage would be “a loss for every household in the governorate”.
Forces opposed to the STC had already taken control of key locations in Hadhramaut, including Seiyun airport. STC forces blocked roads leading to Aden from northern provinces, residents said.
The clashes mark a sharp escalation among former allies in the anti-Houthi camp. Tensions flared after the STC, an umbrella group of powerful southern armed factions seeking to restore an independent southern state, took control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from other pro-government forces, effectively consolidating its grip over much of southern Yemen.
Saudi Arabia condemned the STC’s moves. The kingdom has led the anti-Houthi coalition since 2015, with the UAE playing a key role in halting Houthi advances, securing southern areas and combating extremist groups.
On Friday, Rashad Al Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), appointed Mr Al Khonbashi as overall commander of the Nation’s Shield Forces in Hadhramaut. Four of the PLC’s eight members had already denounced Mr Al Alimi’s decisions, accusing him of breaching the governing agreement, which requires consensus or a majority for major decisions.
Shortly after, Mr Al Khonbashi announced a military operation to retake positions from the STC. The move risks deeper infighting and bloodshed at a time when the anti-Houthi front is already weakened.
The unrest has raised fears that extremist groups could exploit the chaos. When Yemen’s war fragmented in 2015, AQAP seized Mukalla and used the port to generate tens of millions of dollars, becoming one of Al Qaeda’s most powerful branches.
In April 2016, Yemeni forces backed by the UAE, with US intelligence and logistical support, drove AQAP out of the city in a co-ordinated operation, depriving the group of its most valuable base.
The UAE on Saturday urged de-escalation and dialogue, after Saudi Arabia said it was ready to host talks on Yemen’s southern issue. The calls came after the STC announced a two-year transitional phase leading to a referendum on southern self-determination.
The UAE also confirmed it had withdrawn its remaining counter-terrorism forces from Yemen.
