Escalating Military Tensions in Eastern Yemen as Saudi Air Activity Intensifies; Al-Qaeda Leader Killed in Hadramout

Escalating Military Tensions in Eastern Yemen as Saudi Air Activity Intensifies; Al-Qaeda Leader Killed in Hadramout
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Hadramout province in northeastern Yemen has witnessed unprecedented military tensions since early Monday, amid intensified Saudi air operations and large-scale ground deployments, raising concerns about a possible new phase of instability in eastern Yemen.

According to local sources and Arab media, Saudi F-15 fighter jets conducted low-altitude flights over Seiyun Airport on Monday and Tuesday, deploying flares and triggering loud explosions across several areas of Hadramout. Residents described the scale and intensity of the activity as unusual and without precedent.

Middle East News reported that, at the same time, substantial Saudi-backed ground forces were deployed to the Hadramout desert and toward the borders of Al-Mahra and Al-Wadiah. Defense Line sources said Saudi Arabia has, for the third consecutive week, stationed 12 brigades of “Homeland Shield” forces and five brigades of Yemeni rapid reaction units, supported by armored battalions and heavy artillery. Some of these forces were reportedly redeployed from the Azal axis and northern Saada province, signaling a strategic shift in Riyadh’s military focus.

The developments have coincided with reports of sporadic clashes between forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Hospital sources in the coastal city of Mukalla said at least 20 members of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) were killed or wounded and transferred to Al-Burj Hospital. Civil unrest has also continued in the Ghail bin Yamin area, where STC forces reportedly carried out arrests and confiscated civilian property.

Amid the escalation, a Saudi opposition-linked social media account warned that the military movements in Hadramout could be a precursor to the creation of an independent entity in southern Yemen, likening the scenario to Somaliland and warning of potential threats to Saudi border security. Arab media outlets have echoed concerns over rising tensions in eastern Yemen and along Saudi Arabia’s southern frontier.

Separately, the Southern Transitional Council announced the killing of a senior al-Qaeda figure during a security operation in Hadramout. According to Russia Today, STC forces killed Ruwis al-Ruwaimi, described as an al-Qaeda leader, along with several associates during a clearing operation in the Ghail bin Yamin area. The operation was reported to be part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and improve security in the province.