Yemeni government forces enter Hadhramaut’s capital city after STC withdrawal

By Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Yemeni government forces entered the city of Mukalla, the capital of the eastern Hadhramout province, on Sunday after the withdrawal of Southern Transitional Forces (STC) fighters, local media reported.

According to the state-run Yemen TV, the Nation’s Shield Forces moved into the city through the eastern entrance, without providing further details.

It came a day after government forces seized control of the eastern Al-Mahra province and Hadhramaut’s desert and valley region from the STC troops.

Yemen has seen an unprecedented escalation since Tuesday, after the STC forces took control of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra in early December. The two provinces account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of “pushing STC forces to carry out military operations” along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

The STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.