SOUTH24 CENTER FOR NEWS & STUDIES
SOUTH24 CENTER FOR NEWS & STUDIES
A military vehicle belonging to the Southern Forces in one of the streets of Seiyun, December 3, 2025 (Photo: South24 Center)
Last updated on: 05-12-2025 at 2 AM Aden Time
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fLive coverage (South24 Center)
Key Developments
Major shifts unfolded across Wadi Hadramout and Al-Mahra over the past 48 hours as Southern forces launched and expanded the “Promising Future” operation, securing the city of Seiyun along with key positions of the First Military Region after limited clashes. The confrontations left six Southern soldiers dead, in addition to fatalities and injuries among First Military Region personnel, according to field sources.
By Thursday, Southern forces had consolidated control over administrative centers, strategic checkpoints, and vital facilities across the valley, while simultaneous deployments in Al-Mahra brought security points, government institutions, and border crossings under firm control amid local stability.
Civil aviation resumed as Seiyun International Airport restored flight operations, and PetroMasila gradually restarted oil production following the withdrawal of armed groups loyal to Amr bin Habrish under a Saudi-supervised agreement. Political and local leaders emphasized that these developments represent a significant realignment in the region’s security landscape, with ongoing efforts to stabilize public life and protect critical infrastructure.
· · · Live coverage of Aden time of Southern Armed Forces secure Hadramout and reach Al-Mahra · · ·
05 December 2025
02:05 AM | Unauthorized military sources told South24 that around 12 members of the Southern forces were killed and others wounded in the clashes that took place over the past two days during the “Promising Future” operation launched by the Southern forces to secure Hadramout.
01:43 AM | Nasr al-Din Amer, a senior Houthi official, said that there is no Houthi presence in the provinces of Al-Mahrah and Hadramout, accusing — in a post on X — Saudi Arabia and the UAE of settling their scores there.
04 December 2025
11:15 PM | The Saudi-backed Nation Shield Forces announced that they had taken over the 23rd Mechanized Brigade in the Al-Abr district of Hadramout, stating that the handover was carried out in accordance with “official directives,” following the Southern forces’ capture of the brigade on Thursday morning. The brigade had been under the control of the First Military Region, which has since been expelled from Hadramout. It is located along the desert highway linking Yemen and Saudi Arabia, just tens of kilometers from the Al-Wadia border crossing.
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10:10 PM | The Governor of Hadramout, in an interview with Al-Hadath, affirmed that the local authorities are committed to ensuring that forces arriving from outside the governorate return to their areas of origin. He added that the entry of armed men affiliated with Amr bin Habrish into the oil facilities had triggered tension across the governorate.
09:16 PM | PetroMasila, the oil company in Hadramout, announced that it has gradually resumed operations as security conditions improved and oil fields and facilities were secured, following the raid carried out by tribal gunmen loyal to Amr bin Habrish on November 29. On Thursday, Hadrami Elite Forces deployed at the oil facilities to protect them, after limited clashes with the gunmen and following an agreement reached between the local authorities and Bin Habrish under Saudi sponsorship.
08:38 PM | A well-informed political source said that Saudi aircraft struck tribal groups coming from Marib Province as they attempted to approach military positions belonging to the Nation Shield Forces in the Al-Abr area in Hadramout. Circulating footage showed smoke rising in a desert area and warplanes flying overhead. According to the source, the incident occurred at a short distance from the site of one of the brigades that was taken over by Southern forces early this morning. South24 Center was unable to verify the information from Saudi sources.
08:36 PM | Seiyun International Airport has resumed its international flight operations after being secured by Southern forces, and just one day after forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council secured several areas in Wadi Hadramout and the city of Seiyun.
07:15 PM | Video: The Southern flag is raised over Al-Ghaydah International Airport in Al-Mahra Governorate.
07:00 PM | Al-Mahra Local Authority: The situation across the governorate is normal and stable, with public services continuing normally.
5:40 PM | Video from South24 Center of the Al-Ghaydah celebrations in Al-Mahra for the November 30 Independence Day anniversary.
5:26 PM | Sheikh Bakrit: Matters have been settled in Al-Mahra governorate with security and stability firmly established, and it will remain peaceful, secure, and stable.
5:23 PM | Sultan Abdullah Issa Al-Afrar: Al-Mahra is a fundamental pillar and a civilizational interface for the formation of a national and social South.
5:01 PM | Abdulrahim Al-Sadiq, Head of the Southern Transitional Council in Al-Mahra: The flags of the South are raised on the governorate’s institutions after 35 years of absence
4:57 PM | Colonel Ahmed Al-Maari, Commander of the Companies Protection Force, to AIC TV: Al-Masila area has been liberated from Amr bin Habrish’s militants, and the siege on it is lifted
4:54 PM | Crowds begin gathering at Al-Bonook Square in Seera District, Aden, to celebrate the victories of the Southern Forces.
4:40 PM | South24 Video: The Southern Independence anniversary event begins in Al-Ghaydah, Al-Mahra, with attendees chanting the Southern anthem.
4:25 PM | South24 correspondent: Festive atmosphere in Al-Ghaydah with attendees dancing at the Independence Day Event on November 30, coinciding with Southern Forces victories.
4:11 PM | South24 correspondent: Leaders of the Southern Transitional Council arrived at Al-Ghaydah Square in Al-Mahra to participate in the Independence Event.
4:08 PM | A march in Halimin District, Lahj, celebrating the victories of the Southern Forces.
3:54 PM | South24 correspondent: Participants are gathering at Al-Ghaydah Square in Al-Mahra to mark the "Independence Event" November 30.
3:26 PM | Seiyun International Airport announces the resumption of its flights today.
2:59 PM | Source to South24 Center: Raising the flag of South Yemen at the land crossings between Al-Mahra and the Sultanate of Oman.
2:54 PM | Al-Bahsani: The page of Amr bin Habrish's rebellion inside the oil companies in Hadramout has been turned by the will of a state that does not tolerate recklessness.
2:02 PM | Photos from South24 Center from the celebrations of Shabwa residents this morning in Ataq over the victories achieved by the Southern forces.
1:31 PM | Hadramout Tribal Alliance: We congratulate the victories of the Southern forces in Wadi Hadramout and Al-Mahra governorate.
12:34 PM | Transitional Council in Aden calls on the masses this afternoon at the Banks Square in Seera district to celebrate the victories of the Southern forces.
12:33 PM | Transitional Council in Al-Mahra: Security situation is stable and the Southern forces are maintaining the governorate's security.
12:29 PM | A public event in Abyan to celebrate the victories of the Southern forces.
11:29 AM | Second Military Region: The Hadrami Elite repelled an attack by forces of Amr bin Habrish and imposed control over oil company sites in the plateau.
11:27 AM | Security source to South24 Center: The local authority in Al-Mahra directed the withdrawal of all Northern forces personnel from all military checkpoints and the Al-Ghaydah Axis.
10:42 AM | Southern forces celebrate inside the 23rd Mika Brigade camp in the Abr area of Hadramout after securing it.
10:08 AM | AIC: Disagreements between leaders of bin Habrish, Al-Awbahi, and bin Huraiz militants over an agreement with the authorities led to the Hadrami Elite intervention in the plateau.
10:05 AM | Footage from the entry of Hadrami Elite Forces to protect oil company sites in the plateau this morning.
9:46 AM | AIC: Security checkpoints and government facilities in Al-Mahra raise Southern flags after being secured by Southern forces.
9:45 AM | Hadrami Elite Forces regain control of oil company protection sites in the plateau after the withdrawal of militants affiliated with bin Habrish.
2:34 AM | Southern Armed Forces secure Nishtun Port in Al-Mahrah
2:28 AM | AIC TV: Southern Armed Forces assume security and protection of the Republican Palace in Al-Ghaydah, Al-Mahra
2:25 AM | Southern Armed Forces seize the 23rd Mechanized Brigade in Al-Abr, Hadramout
2:18 AM | AIC TV: Southern Armed forces assume command of Al-Ghaydah Axis, 137th Infantry Brigade and security points in Al-Mahra
01:35 AM | Former AQAP leader Riyadh Al-Nahdi (Abu Omar Al-Nahdi) called on Yemenis to fight the Southern forces, describing them as a “racist militia.” He blamed the Presidential Leadership Council for the events in Hadramout, accusing its leaders of being “traitors.” In a speech aired by Al-Mahriya TV, which is close to the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Nahdi also praised Amr bin Habrish and his armed men.
00:25 AM | Senior STC official Ali Al-Kathiri visited Seiyun Airport to assess its operational readiness, stating that specialized teams have begun technical repairs to fully restore its functions, while also affirming that Southern armed forces will secure the airport and its surroundings to help normalize public life in Wadi Hadramout.
Photo by: Osama Jeridan
03 December 2025
11:50 PM | The local authority in Wadi and Desert of Hadramout issued a statement calling on citizens to protect public and private property amid the current developments in the region’s districts. The authority emphasized the importance of strengthening national awareness and cooperating with the relevant agencies to reinforce stability, describing it as a shared responsibility. It also renewed its assurances to residents, urging everyone to cooperate and maintain public calm.
The announcement reflects the determination of Hadramout’s people to end tensions and uphold reason and wisdom. The agreement stipulates a complete halt to military, security, and media escalation, along with the beginning of a mutual withdrawal of forces from the oil company sites in Al-Masila, restoring calm and paving the way for the mediation committee to complete its work.
It also includes the repositioning of company protection forces, the return of PetroMasila employees to their duties, and the unification of positions by all parties toward any external intervention in the company sites in Al-Masila.
Furthermore, the agreement provides for integrating members of the Hadramout Protection Forces affiliated with Sheikh Amr bin Habrish into a unified force responsible for securing the oil companies, while he remains at his location without any civilian armed presence. Both parties commit to implementing all terms in the presence of the mediation committee to ensure stability and safeguard Hadramout’s resources.
09:47 PM | Hadramout local authority on the Saudi delegation head: We affirm our rejection of what happened and demand the withdrawal of military forces that came from outside Hadramout
09:45 PM | Hadramout Local authority: The head of the Saudi delegation affirmed that the Kingdom stands with all those who seek to enhance stability in Yemen and Hadramout.
09:00 PM | Commander of the Hadrami Elite Security Support Forces: The forces which expelled this morning from Wadi Hadramout are the lung through which the Houthis, the Muslim Brotherhood, and terrorist organizations breathe.
8:41 PM | Hadramout Local Authority: Governor Al-Khanbashi met with the head of the Saudi Special Committee, Major General Obaid Al-Qahtani, and his accompanying delegation in the city of Mukalla. Governor Al-Khanbashi’s meeting with Maj. Gen. Al-Qahtani also included military and parliamentary leaders, scholars, and tribal figures to discuss recent developments
8:07 PM | The city of Ataq is lit up with fireworks in celebration of the Southern forces’ "victories" in Shabwa and Wadi Hadramout.
7:53 PM | STC calls on civilians and military personnel with families in Wadi Hadramout to remain in their homes during the coming hours for their safety.
7:42 PM | Member of the Presidential Leadership Council and President of the STC, Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi, ordered the declaration of a general amnesty, excluding perpetrators of blood crimes, terrorism, and grave violations.
Al-Zubaidi also directed that care be provided to the wounded and that all detainees in Wadi Hadramout be released immediately, in steps seen as part of efforts to address the current situation and ease tensions in Hadramout.
7:41 PM | STC: The South will not be a passageway for threatening regional security, nor a haven for terrorism, nor a lifeline of supply for the Houthis.
7:32 PM | STC: Wadi Hadramout areas have, over the past years, turned into a smuggling hub for the Houthis and a stronghold for ISIS and AQAP.
7:30 PM | Southern Transitional Council: We launched the “Promising Future” operation after exhausting all options to restore stability and end the security chaos in Wadi Hadramout.
5:50 PM | Second Region Command denies the authenticity of a circulated statement attributed to it regarding an alleged assault on a Hadrami Elite patrol in Sah district.
5:12 PM | Major General bin Brik: We congratulate the people of Hadramout and the South on achieving full control over sites that were considered strongholds for terrorist elements.
4:43 PM | Hadramout Governor chairs an expanded meeting in Al-Mukalla, including the Saudi delegation and security and military leaders, to discuss normalizing the situation.
4:19 PM | Amr bin Habrish in a video recording: We will not allow any force to advance towards the oil companies in Hadramout.
3:07 PM | Military source to South24: Southern Forces killed in Wadi Hadramout rise to three.
3:03 PM | A photo showing the wreckage of a First Military Region tank and a Southern Forces military vehicle during the clashes this dawn in Wadi Hadramout.
2:30 PM | South24 correspondent: A Saudi delegation arrives in Mukalla city and was received by Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi.
2:24 PM | Military source to South24: The number of Southern Forces killed rises to two during the operation to secure Seiyun city in Wadi Hadramout.
02:00 PM | A video by the South24 Center shows Shabwa Defense Forces securing the Aareen camp on the governorate’s border after taking control of it.
13:20 PM | A South24 video from inside Seiyun Airport shows it being secured by Southern forces following brief clashes with the First Military Region forces.
Read more details
The Southern Armed Forces entered the city of Seiyun in Hadramout Valley at dawn on Wednesday (December 3), launching a wide-scale military operation dubbed "Promising Future."
The entry followed a rapid advance towards positions of the First Military Zone, with the forces raising the Southern flag at the Shuhoq point, a key location long held by the zone's forces.
Video footage showed crowds of local residents welcoming the advancing forces and waving Southern flags.
Within the first hours, the Southern forces took control of the Al-Suwairi point in Tarim and expanded their presence deep into the valley. Field sources told South24 Center that the forces also secured government facilities on Sixtieth Street inside Seiyun.
Limited clashes were also reported in the vicinity of Seiyun International Airport before the forces were able to secure it completely, as seen in videos broadcast by South24 from inside the airport.
In an urgent statement, a spokesperson for the Southern forces announced that "the Southern Armed Forces have fully secured the city of Seiyun," confirming the extent of the progress made since the operation's launch.
In an exclusive statement to South24, Major Ali Nasser Sabih, head of Moral Guidance for the Fourth Infantry Brigade, said the forces' entry into Seiyun aims to "restore security and stability to Hadramout Valley." He confirmed that the operation is "proceeding according to clear objectives and with full discipline."
He noted that "popular support played a crucial role in facilitating the advance," adding that the forces are working to "secure vital facilities, including Seiyun Airport and government departments."
