STC holds expanded meeting in Hadramout amid rising tensions

Senior officials of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout Governorate convened today for a comprehensive meeting in Mukalla, the governorate’s capital to address pressing developments amidst rising tensions exacerbated by declining services and economic challenges. The discussions also focused on concerning reports of attempts to resume oil exports through controversial political agreements, some allegedly involving concessions to the Houthi militia.

The meeting brought together many key figures from across Hadramout aligned with the local leadership of the STC.

A closing statement issued after the meeting issued a stark warning against any endeavors to revive "occupational projects" in the governorate, emphasizing "Hadramout's role as a cornerstone in the Southern people's quest to regain and construct their envisioned independent federal state".

The STC’s conclusive remarks outlined several key issues, including political, security, economic, and military affairs specific to Hadramout. They also announced the formation of a committee tasked with liaising with local authorities, and social and tribal entities within Hadramout, to develop a strategy for safeguarding the rights of the governorate and preempting discord or fragmentation.

The statement called for unity amongst Hadramis to ensure equitable access to the region's oil revenues and resources and to secure essential services for residents. It firmly rejected any oil and gas agreements that do not respect the rights of Hadramout’s inhabitants and opposed any actions that could undermine the governorate's autonomy.

Expressing deep concern over the increasing presence of Houthi cells and extremist groups in Hadramout, the statement underscored the importance of deploying the Hadrami Elite Forces strategically across the Wadi and Desert areas to counter these threats, enhance security, and promote stability.

The statement also criticized the continued presence of the First Military District, predominantly comprising Northern brigades, in the Wadi and Desert of Hadramout, and urged oil companies operating within the governorate to relocate their headquarters from Houthi-controlled Sanaa to either the capital, Aden, or Mukalla.

On the political front, the meeting highlighted the necessity of including Hadramout in any future political processes, stressing the importance of aligning with the aspirations of the local population and rejecting any attempts to marginalize the governorate in shaping the nation's future.

Hadramout, South Yemen’s largest governorate in both population and area, is home to a significant portion of the country's oil reserves. Despite its wealth, residents face deteriorating services and economic hardships, fueling local discontent. 

Many Hadramis believe their oil wealth was exploited during the reign of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the ongoing presence of Northern forces near oil reservoirs in the Wadi and Desert for years, even prior to 2015 and amidst Houthi control in North Yemen, raises suspicion among locals.

The STC maintains substantial influence in Hadramout, particularly through the STC-affiliated Hadrami Elite Forces, stationed in Mukalla and along the Hadramout Coast under the leadership of Major General Faraj Al-Bahsani, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and STC Vice President.

Recent grassroots movements have intensified, demanding better services and greater transparency regarding the management of the governorate’s oil and gas revenues. These concerns have been heightened by the late July visit of PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, amid rumors of a potential resumption of oil exports involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, allegedly with concessions to the Houthi faction.

Since October 2022, oil exports from Hadramout have been suspended following Houthi drone strikes on the Al-Dabbah oil port in Ash Shihr district, a key hub for shipping crude oil to tankers.