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Two Protesters Killed as Security Forces Open Fire on STC Rally in Hadramout

A mass rally in support of the Southern Transitional Council in Mukalla, Hadramout, amid a security crackdown using live ammunition, April 4, 2026 (South24 Center)

04-04-2026 الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت عدن

Al-Mukalla (South24 Center)

Two protesters were killed and four others wounded on Saturday (April 4) after security and military forces opened fire to disperse a demonstration in support of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the city of Al-Mukalla, Hadramout, according to local sources.


 

The sources said the casualties occurred after live ammunition was fired at crowds in multiple locations across the city, as Saudi-backed authorities in Hadramout implemented security measures aimed at preventing demonstrators from reaching the protest venue. Despite the restrictions, two marches set off from the Khour Al-Mukalla area, where participants raised South Yemen flags and images of STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, chanting slogans in support of the council and condemning the use of force.


 

Circulating video footage showed live fire directed at protesters in areas including Khour Al-Mukalla and Al-Diss, while other clips appeared to show one of the victims collapsing after being shot.


 

Tensions had been building since midday, with a heavy deployment of security and military forces across the city under directives from Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi Reinforcements were later stationed near Freedom Square (Al-Dallah) and its entrances, according to local sources, which also reported the movement of Saudi-backed tribal forces led by Sheikh Amr bin Habrish from "Nahb" camp toward the city.


 

Later, security forces set up barriers near the Martyrs Bridge (“Barjash and Bin Hammam”) and other entry points in an attempt to limit the flow of demonstrators before opening fire to disperse them, according to local testimonies and video footage.



 

In its first official response, Hadramout’s security authorities said they had identified “inciting elements” that pushed children and young men to the front lines, claiming this was intended to “provoke chaos.” The statement did not address the reported casualties and instead said the forces had acted with “wisdom and restraint.”

 

In a separate statement, the local authority and the security committee said the events were part of “attempts to undermine security and stability,” denying reports of a widespread deployment of emergency forces and describing the security presence as “legitimate and limited.” The statement also said that “armed individuals in civilian clothing” had fired at security forces, and that people from outside Hadramout had entered the city to carry out “inciting plans.”



 

At the conclusion of the rally, participants issued a statement reaffirming their mandate to the STC president and their commitment to what they described as the “constitutional declaration to restore the State of the South.” They held local authorities and security forces responsible for the casualties and warned of “open escalation” if restrictions on public gatherings continue.


 

The statement also called for the withdrawal of “Yemeni emergency forces” from Hadramout and for the Hadrami Elite Forces to take over security responsibilities. It condemned what it described as the targeting of Southern Armed Forces in Hadramout’s desert areas and rejected the return of any symbols linked to what it called the era of Yemeni dominance.

 

Ahead of the protest, the STC in Hadramout said the rally would be “peaceful and organized,” warning that any obstruction by authorities could lead to further tensions.


 

Commenting on the developments, Abdul Nasser Al-Jaari, a member of the Southern delegation in Riyadh, described the situation as “concerning” and stressed the need to respect the right to peaceful protest.

 

Since January, Saudi-backed local forces, including emergency units, have taken control of Hadramout following Saudi airstrikes that targeted STC-affiliated Southern forces, forcing them to withdraw toward Aden.


- South24 Center

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