Hadramout (South24 Center)

Wadi Hadramout, in South Yemen, witnessed major security developments on Monday night (Dec 29), including overflights by Saudi warplanes over Seiyun city, coinciding with security operations carried out by the Hadrami Elite Forces (HEF), that led to the death of a prominent Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leader, according to an official statement from the Southern Government Forces.

Residents and local sources told South24 that Saudi fighter jets flew at low altitudes over Seiyun late at night, breaking the sound barrier and causing widespread anxiety among the population. 

The sources added that the aircraft dropped flares over various parts of Wadi Hadramout and the Plateau (Al-Hadaba) region, including the areas of Ghayl Bin Yamin and Khurd. However, there were no reports of casualties.

In the same context, the Southern Government Forces announced the killing of AQAP commander Rowais Al-Ruwaimi and several of his companions during a sweep operation conducted by the Hadrami Elite Forces in Ghayl Bin Yamin. 

The source explained that the operation was part of a security campaign targeting armed elements active in the region linked to the Saudi-backed tribal figure Amr bin Habrish and one of his prominent associates, Salem Al-Ghurabi.

The Southern Government Forces stated that the Hadrami Elite Forces continued to carry out sweep and security operations in several areas of Wadi Hadramout, which led to the death of five armed elements in nighttime clashes northeast of the city of Al-Shihr. Additionally, a security cordon was imposed around the Ais Khurd area, while several individuals suspected of involvement in previous attacks targeting the forces were arrested.

These developments come a day after the Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced the death of five members of the Hadrami Elite Forces in an armed ambush on Friday (December 26) in the Ais Khurd area near Al-Shihr while they were performing security duties. The Council attributed the attack to armed elements linked to Sheikh Amr bin Habrish and tribal influencer Salem Al-Ghurabi.

The Vice President of the STC and member of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Major General Faraj Al-Bahsani, in a statement of condolences said that the targeting of the Hadrami Elite Forces is part of attempts to destabilize the security situation in Hadramout. 

He pointed to the role that these forces, alongside the Southern Government Forces, have played in combating extremist organizations and securing the governorate over the past years.

Local sources had reported last Friday that Saudi jets carried out two airstrikes targeting Hadrami Elite Forces positions in Ghayl Bin Yamin, hours after an armed ambush targeted the forces during security operations in Wadi Nahab.

These security developments coincide with political pressure led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to push for the withdrawal of Southern Government Forces affiliated with the STC from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.