Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have successfully regained control of Seiyun, the second-largest city in Yemen’s Hadramout province, after it was captured by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) a month ago. The government troops peacefully entered the city, securing full control as STC forces withdrew from key state institutions and the airport. The situation in Seiyun remains stable, with government forces patrolling major streets and facilities.
Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, based in Riyadh, confirmed the government’s control over Seiyun, including the international airport and key state institutions. Meanwhile, an STC field commander mentioned that their withdrawal from the airport and government compound was due to warnings of potential airstrikes from Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the proximity of residential areas to the airport. The STC forces stated that the withdrawal was temporary and reserved the right to resume military operations in the future.
In response to the STC’s presence in Hadramout, Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops launched a significant military operation to expel STC loyalists and reinforce government authority in the region. Saudi warplanes conducted airstrikes in support of the advancing government forces, resulting in casualties and injuries. Clashes between the government forces and STC have escalated in various areas as both sides vie for control and influence in Hadramout.
Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since 2014, with the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in response to Houthi forces capturing Sanaa and parts of the north. The STC, established in 2017 with UAE support, advocates for self-determination and independence for southern Yemen. Despite its integration into Yemen’s ruling Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the STC continues to pursue southern sovereignty, leading to ongoing disputes over power-sharing and resource control.
