Aden (South24 Center)  

On Sunday evening (December 7), the Second Military District deployed new military reinforcements from the Hadrami Elite Forces to Wadi Hadramout, in a step it said was aimed at "enhancing security and stability," following the rapid developments witnessed in the governorate during the past days. 

In a statement, the command of the Second Military District said the Elite Forces "will act firmly to confront any potential threats affecting the security of Wadi Hadramout," affirming that "the valley is Hadrami land, and its protection and stability are our direct responsibility." 

It pointed out that the current move comes within a plan to strengthen the deployment of regular forces in vital areas. Additional units of the Hadrami Elite arrived in Seiyun to participate in what was described as securing and normalizing the situation, following the "Promising Future" operation during which Southern Forces secured Wadi Hadramout and expelled the First Military District forces, accused of links to the Houthis and the Muslim Brotherhood. 

On Sunday, Southern Special Security Forces arrived in Al-Mahra governorate, within a plan to deploy and secure a number of vital and important facilities. 

In simultaneous statements, Sultan Abdullah bin Issa Al-Afrar called on the people of Al-Mahra and the South to unite ranks and rally behind the political leadership, warning against attempts to obstruct development, and affirming that Al-Mahra will remain the southeastern gateway of the South, and exercise awareness and responsibility. 

This military move comes in conjunction with escalating popular mobilization in the South, as several southern governorates witnessed mass sit-ins called by STC bodies demanding the fulfillment of "the aspirations of the people of the South" and moving toward "the second declaration of independence." The squares across these governorates witnessed notable presence of youth, women, and community leaders. 

Meanwhile, "Deraa Al-ganoob" reported that Shabwa Defense Forces assumed responsibility for protecting the Al-Aqla oil facility on Sunday evening, following the withdrawal of the 21st Mika Brigade from the site, as part of a comprehensive redeployment in the governorate. 

The site added that Southern Forces are "continuing to raise readiness and strengthen monitoring points in all vital sites in Shabwa," confirming they are "ready to deal with any potential threats and determined to preserve the gains of the Promising Future operation." 

These developments in Hadramout and Shabwa reflect a shifting security and political scene, coinciding with the withdrawal of Saudi forces from strategic sites in Maashiq, Mayon, and Aden Airport during the past two days, in addition to the departure of PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi to Riyadh for political consultations, according to official sources. 

The latest moves indicate a new phase of restructuring the security and military reality in South Yemen, with the expansion of Southern Forces’ influence and growing popular demands to empower them in managing the security files in the southern governorates.