Al-Mahra

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates predate the recent confrontation in Hadramawt, stemming from a deeper rift that was already apparent at the start of the coalition’s campaign in Yemen. From the outset, the two powers pursued distinct goals, influenced by broader economic ambitions and long-standing strategic competition that extended well beyond Yemen’s borders. The friction between…

Yemen has been at the heart of Helen Lackner’s life for more than half a century. A distinguished and prolific author and non-resident fellow at the Sana’a Center, Lackner has covered topics as diverse as climate change, economic collapse, women’s role in society, and the historical roots of the ongoing conflict. The depth and breadth of her work have made…

Yemen’s economy remains under severe strain, with its real GDP projected to decline by 1.5 percent in 2025. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 61 percent of surveyed households in the country struggled to meet their minimum food needs in November. Of this group, 35 percent were facing severe food insecurity. Inadequate food consumption affected 63 percent of households…

Political tensions in Hadramawt intensified over the course of the fall, as the rivalry between the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, and the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance (HTA), led by Amr bin Habrish, escalated into crisis. At the end of November, public statements by STC figures framed the council as the only legitimate representative of southern political aspirations…

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s lightning push into Hadramawt and Al-Mahra in early December marked one of the most abrupt and consequential shifts in Yemen’s security landscape in recent decades. Within weeks, STC-affiliated forces surged into the eastern governorates, were rapidly pushed back, and were ultimately forced to retreat to Aden and then cede control of the interim capital.…

In early December, armed forces affiliated with the secessionist, UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized control of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, displacing tribal forces led by Amr Bin Habrish and 1st Military Region army units affiliated with the Islah party. With its eastward expansion, the STC now controls nearly all of the territory of the former South Yemen state, including its…

Following women-led demonstrations in Aden and Taiz in May and June, widespread protests erupted in Hadramawt’s capital, Mukalla, on July 28, leading to the storming of a local authority building and the Munawwira electricity plant. The unrest was sparked by severe power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day. Protesters blocked streets, and shops were closed as Hadrami Elite…

In 2022, Yemen's internationally recognized government replaced then-President Abdo Rabbu Mansour Hadi with a Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which was tasked with serving as the country’s new executive political and legal authority. While the transition was framed as a response to growing domestic demand for change, it was primarily driven by external influence, most notably from Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s…

There have been growing signals of possible international recognition of the Republic of Somaliland. Former British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson alluded to the possibility of US President Donald Trump recognizing Somaliland’s independence in November 2024. His remarks coincided with favorable positions expressed by US officials who had worked with Trump, such as Peter Pham and Tibor Nagy, as well as…