Shabwa (South24 Center)

A Saudi military force arrived on Sunday, February 15, at the Murra military base, west of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa governorate, according to military and local sources who spoke to South24.

The move marks a redeployment of Saudi forces in South Yemen after months of reducing their field presence.

Sources stated that the base, which previously served as a headquarters for Emirati forces, was handed over to the Saudi force without revealing the number of personnel or whether it included local elements. Neither Riyadh nor the Yemeni government has issued any clarifications regarding the nature or duration of the mission.

The Murra base is considered one of the most prominent military sites in Shabwa, featuring extensive fortifications. According to informed sources, the base has undergone rehabilitation in recent years, including the development of underground facilities. Previously, the base was used by Emirati forces within the Arab Coalition as a center for counterterrorism operations and support for Southern forces.

It remains unclear whether the Saudi force will permanently replace the Emirati forces.

This move follows the withdrawal of Saudi troops from several inland positions in South Yemen in December 2025, after the launch of the "Promising Future" operation carried out by Southern forces to secure the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

The deployment coincided with security tensions in Ataq on February 11, when security forces used live ammunition to disperse a protest called for by the Southern Transitional Council (STC). According to the latest figures, the incident resulted in 7 deaths and 43 injuries among the protesters.