The coalition destroys an arms shipment at the port of Mukalla destined for the Southern Transitional Council
The official spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki al-Maliki, announced a limited, targeted military operation at the port of Mukalla in Hadramawt Governorate. The operation targeted a shipment of weapons and military vehicles that had been unloaded illegally. Al-Maliki explained that the operation followed close monitoring of two ships arriving from the port of Fujairah on Saturday and Sunday (December 27-28, 2025) without obtaining the necessary permits from the Joint Forces Command. The crews of both ships deliberately disabled their navigation tracking systems as a means of concealment.
The spokesperson indicated that the shipment contained large quantities of sophisticated weapons and combat vehicles intended to support the Southern Transitional Council forces in the eastern governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, a move aimed at fueling internal conflict and undermining de-escalation efforts. Al-Maliki confirmed that the airstrike was carried out this morning in response to an official request from the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to take the necessary measures to protect civilians and prevent the militarization of the liberated governorates. He emphasized that the operation was conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules to ensure no collateral damage occurred.
Context of the conflict in the eastern provinces
These developments come at a time when Yemen's eastern governorates, particularly Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, are witnessing intense political and military tensions. Hadramawt holds significant strategic and economic importance as it represents Yemen's geographical and oil-rich heartland, making it a focal point of competition for influence between the legitimate government and the Southern Transitional Council. The Yemeni government has consistently sought to maintain stability in these areas, keeping them free from the direct military conflicts seen in other regions like Aden and Abyan. However, attempts to introduce heavy weapons suggest a desire by some parties to forcibly alter the balance of power on the ground.
International references and Resolution 2216
Legally and internationally, the coalition bases its actions on UN Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution 2216 (2015), which prohibits the supply of weapons to parties that threaten peace and security in Yemen outside the framework of the legitimate government. The entry of ships without permits and the disabling of tracking devices constitute a blatant violation of the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) and the coalition's maritime procedures, necessitating a firm response to prevent the flow of illicit weapons that prolongs the war and complicates the path to a political solution.
The repercussions of the situation and the confirmation of the truce
Major General Al-Maliki concluded his statement by affirming the Coalition leadership's continued efforts to de-escalate tensions and enforce a ceasefire, warning that any external military support for any Yemeni faction outside the framework of coordination with the legitimate government and the Coalition would be met with a firm response. These strict measures aim to ensure the success of Saudi and international efforts to unify the Yemeni ranks under the umbrella of the Presidential Leadership Council, achieve comprehensive security and stability, and prevent safe areas from being drawn into peripheral conflicts that serve the enemies of Yemen.
