Deadly Attacks in Yemen’s Hadhramaut Kill at Least 32 Security Personnel

Post by : Saif Nasser

At least 32 members of Yemen’s security forces were killed and 45 others wounded in a series of attacks in the eastern province of Hadhramaut, Yemen’s internationally recognised government said on Friday. The government blamed the violence on groups linked to the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, according to the state news agency.

Hadhramaut is one of Yemen’s largest provinces and has long been a sensitive area because of its strategic location and oil resources. The attacks mark a serious escalation of tensions in southern and eastern Yemen, where different armed groups compete for power and control.

The Southern Transitional Council is a separatist group that seeks independence for southern Yemen. It is backed by powerful regional allies and already controls large parts of the south, including the port city of Aden. The STC has often clashed with forces loyal to the central government, even though both sides oppose the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in the north.

According to the government, the attacks targeted security positions and patrols, leading to heavy casualties. Officials described the incidents as coordinated and warned that such violence threatens stability in areas that had remained relatively calm compared to other parts of the country.

Yemen has been locked in a devastating conflict for more than a decade. While international attention often focuses on the war between the government and the Houthis, fighting among anti-Houthi factions has also caused deaths and deepened divisions. These internal conflicts make peace efforts more difficult and prolong the suffering of civilians.

The latest violence in Hadhramaut raises fresh concerns about security and governance in the region. Analysts say that unless political differences between the government and the STC are addressed through dialogue, further clashes could follow, putting both security forces and civilians at risk.

The government has called for calm and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving unity and stability. However, the deadly attacks underline how fragile the situation remains in Yemen, where rival groups continue to battle for influence despite years of war and humanitarian crisis.