How Do the Hadrami Parties Read the «First Military District's» Threats?

Some Hadrami parties believe that the latest threats issued by a Northern military official affiliated with the First Military District (FMD) is a continuation of the same approach adopted in the 1994 war which was launched by Sanaa against South Yemen. On the contrary, other parties who are close to the FMD view these threats as “necessary" to maintain the power of the state.

In previous statements, Yehia Al-Hashdi (known as Abu Auja), the deposed FMD's commander threatened the Hadrami parties of military confrontations. In his statements which was broadcasted by Belqees TV channel which is owned by Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman, he criticized the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and parties who demanded the removal of the Northern forces from Wadi Hadramout. Abu Auja said: “They will be under our watch”.

These threats came weeks after the Houthi attacks which targeted oil ports for the first time in eastern Mukalla, the capital city of Hadramout.

He insisted that the deployment of the FMD "was a result of a decision and won’t depart without a decision from its leadership”. He alleged that the Riyadh Agreement didn’t include the departure of these forces from Wadi Hadramout. 

Southerners argue that the Riyadh Agreement between the internationally-recognized government and STC on November 5th 2019 included the complete departure of the Northern forces and relocating them to the battle fronts against the Houthis.

For months, Hadrami areas have witnessed a popular movement against the presence of the FMD forces whose most of their members are Northerners. The intensity of these grassroot movements has escalated amid a state of security chaos in Wadi Hadramout that has led to the increase of killing, assassination and kidnapping of international foreign workers. 

On February 12th, forces affiliated with the FMD attempted to prevent a peaceful event in Seiyun, the biggest city in Wadi Hadramout. They detained tens of delegations in security checkpoints as well as to use live shots against unarmed civilians citizens along with physically beating them by assault rifle. 

Earlier this month, the same forces prevented an artistic event scheduled to be held in Seiyun under the sponsorship of Hadramout’s Governor and PLC Member Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. The forces stormed the place where the party was scheduled to be held. 

Last Thursday, members of the FMD launched a crackdown against protesters in Seiyun who carried out a mass civil disobedience. Footages showed chasing operations amid thick smoke that filled the city sky. The sound of gunfire from medium and machine guns was heard. Press sources said that the forces arrested a number of protests including one child. 

In an official statement, the STC condemned the crackdown and arrest campaign. The STC’s Spokesperson, Ali Al-Kathiri, said: “We won’t permit consolidating the de-facto presence of the FMD forces who have enhanced terrorism since they invaded Hadramout in 1994".

Commenting on these threats, the Head of the STC in Seiyun Abdulrahman Al-Jafri told "South24 Center" that the "aim behind this is to intimidate Hadramout's people. The zero hour is approaching. Our people consider these mere farewell threats before they leave Hadramout”. 

For his part, Eng. Saleh Bazqamah, Deputy Chairman of “Inclusive Hadramout Alliance” told “South24 Center”: “We don’t care about these threats. They won’t discourage us from continuing demanding for our rights and Hadramout’s rights in all domains, foremost of which is the departure of the FMD from Wadi Hadramout according to the Riyadh Agreement”.