Al-Mukalla (South24 Center) 

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Witnesses and local sources said Hadrami protesters on Wednesday disrupted a solidarity event with Saudi Arabia held in the city of Al-Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout governorate.

The event was organized by the Hadramout Tribal Alliance led by tribal chief Amr bin Habrish. Videos and images circulating online showed protesters storming the venue, removing Saudi flags, and replacing them with the flag of former South Yemen.

#BREAKING

Protesters lower Saudi flags and raise the South flag during a mass event called for by the Hadramout Tribal Alliance, led by Amr bin Habrish, in Mukalla #south24 pic.twitter.com/A9CxCcsIHB

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

The footage also showed protesters tearing down a banner displaying images of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, as well as Saudi Arabia’s King and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Local sources reported that gunfire broke out during the gathering, which residents described as having drawn only dozens of participants, falling short of the expected turnout.

The Al-Mukalla event coincided with similar activities in the city of Seiyun in Wadi Hadramout, also organized by bin Habrish’s alliance, in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, which has been facing Iranian attacks in recent weeks alongside other Gulf states.

In Al-Mahra, dozens also gathered in the city of Al-Ghaydah in a protest expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

#BREAKING

The event called for by Bin Habrish in support of #Saudi_Arabia fails after being stormed by Hadrami protesters in Mukalla #south24 pic.twitter.com/WhXLMZLN2o

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

These developments come amid rising political tensions across several southern governorates, driven by the closure of Southern Transitional Council (STC) offices and attempts to reshape political and military balances, with direct Saudi support.

#BREAKING

Video: Gunfire during an event held by dozens of #Saudi supporters in #Mukalla, #Hadramout #south24 pic.twitter.com/qXYorMcCq4

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

On the same day, pro-STC protesters in the capital Aden reopened three of the Council’s offices that had been forcibly closed on February 22, despite tightened security measures imposed by authorities to prevent such actions.

The reopened facilities included the headquarters of the National Assembly, the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs, and the General Secretariat.