The governor of Hadramawt gives the Southern Transitional Council an ultimatum to evacuate Al-Rayyan airport and threatens to join the coalition
In a significant development in Yemen's eastern provinces, the governor of Hadramawt, Salem al-Khanbashi, issued a clear and urgent demand to the forces and elements of the Southern Transitional Council to immediately evacuate al-Rayyan International Airport. This demand was delivered in a very firm tone, with the governor emphasizing that if this sovereign demand is not met and the airport grounds are not cleared, the local authorities will not hesitate to request direct intervention from the Arab Coalition forces to target those elements—a move indicating that tensions have reached unprecedented levels.
In conjunction with these rapid developments on the ground, the head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, affirmed his close monitoring of the progress in regaining control of camps and strategic locations in Hadramawt Governorate. Al-Alimi emphasized the priority of protecting civilians and sparing them the ravages of conflict, stressing the necessity of securing essential public services in the governorate and working diligently to alleviate the humanitarian suffering endured by Yemeni citizens as a result of the deteriorating economic and security situation.
The strategic importance of Al Rayyan Airport
Al-Rayyan International Airport holds immense strategic and economic importance for Hadramawt Governorate and Yemen as a whole, serving as a vital artery connecting the governorate to the outside world. Over the past years, the airport has suffered from periods of closure and disruption, negatively impacting travel and transportation and exacerbating the hardships faced by patients, students, and expatriates. The demand for its evacuation by any armed groups is part of the local authority and legitimate government's efforts to normalize the situation and restore the full operational capacity of key public facilities to serve the public interest, free from military and political conflicts.
General context and effects of the event
These tensions come at a sensitive time in the Yemeni crisis, as international and regional actors seek to unify the anti-Houthi front under the umbrella of the Presidential Leadership Council. Hadramawt, which represents the largest economic and geographical area in Yemen, is the cornerstone of stability in the liberated governorates. Any military escalation within the governorate could have serious repercussions at the local and regional levels, potentially derailing efforts to restore the state and threatening social peace in a region that has long remained largely untouched by direct conflict.
Observers believe that extending state authority over sovereign institutions in Hadramawt is a true test of the Presidential Leadership Council's ability to manage differences between various factions and enforce the rule of law. Furthermore, stability in Hadramawt is a regional and international imperative given its strategic location and long border with Saudi Arabia, making its security a top priority for ensuring the stability of the entire region.
