Yemen: Saudi-Backed Forces Retake Mukalla Port from Separatists

Recapture of Mukalla

• 🎯 Saudi-backed National Shield forces have entered the port city of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramaut Province.
• 🤝 They regained control from the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that had seized the province last month.
• 📣 The forces from the National Shield, Hadramaut protection forces, and Hadrami elite are considered an integral part of the region's security.

Separatist Aims and Casualties

• 🗺️ The Southern Transitional Council seeks independence from northern Yemen and is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• ⚠️ The STC reported at least 80 troops killed and dozens wounded or captured in fighting and airstrikes since Friday.
• ✈️ The UAE announced on Saturday that it had withdrawn its forces from the area.

Broader Yemeni Conflict and Regional Tensions

• ⏳ Yemen has been divided for over a decade due to a civil war between warring regions.
• 🇸🇦🇦🇪 Tensions in Yemen have exacerbated a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who support rival factions.
• 🗣️ Riyadh announced plans to host a conference for all southern factions to address the southern cause, an initiative the STC agreed to attend.