The coalition targets an arms shipment in Mukalla in violation of Resolution 2216
In a significant development on the ground, reflecting the resolve of the Joint Forces Command in addressing security threats, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen a limited, targeted military operation at the port of Mukalla . The operation targeted a shipment of weapons and armored vehicles that had been smuggled into the country. This operation followed the close monitoring of two vessels arriving from the port of Fujairah. These vessels had disabled their tracking systems and were attempting to smuggle military equipment without obtaining the necessary permits from the Coalition Command, in clear and blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
Details of the military operation and its motives
Field sources confirmed that the airstrike came after all material evidence was established and documented, confirming the unloading of large quantities of weapons and armored vehicles to support the Southern Transitional Council forces. The operation was carried out according to precise rules of engagement that ensured the neutralization of the threat without causing collateral damage, in response to an official request from the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, who stressed the need to take immediate measures to protect civilians in the Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates and to prevent any military formations outside the framework of the state from possessing sophisticated weapons that could be used to destabilize the region.
The strategic importance and security dimension of the Kingdom
This event cannot be understood in isolation from its complex geographical and security context. The governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra represent a crucial strategic depth, given their long border with Saudi Arabia, stretching approximately 700 kilometers. Any uncontrolled military movement or stockpiling of weapons in these areas constitutes a direct threat to Saudi national security and an attempt to destabilize regions that have remained relatively untouched by direct armed conflict. The attempt to control these areas by supporting armed factions operating outside the framework of legitimacy represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the security gains achieved in recent years.
Legal background: UN Resolution 2216
The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy bases its actions on international legitimacy, specifically UN Security Council Resolution 2216, adopted under Chapter VII, which prohibits the supply of weapons to armed groups outside the control of the legitimate government and grants the Coalition the right to inspect ships and shipments bound for Yemen to ensure compliance with the arms embargo. This decisive measure underscores the Coalition's commitment to preventing the militarization of Yemeni ports or their transformation into transit points for arms smuggling, which fuels internal conflicts and obstructs the peace efforts led by the United Nations and the international community to end the Yemeni crisis.
