Yemen forces retake Mukalla port

Troops of Yemen’s internationally recognised government entered the Arabian Sea port city of Mukalla after authorities said they had retaken the eastern port and provincial capital of Hadramawt from UAE-backed southern separatists, reversing recent gains by the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Government forces advanced into Mukalla and took positions around government buildings, the port and main roads, setting up checkpoints across parts of the city. Local witnesses and security sources reported no immediate major clashes; officials said the deployment aimed to restore order, secure state institutions and protect public facilities while coordinating with local authorities. The move followed rapid territorial gains by pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, which secured several strategic locations across Hadramawt.

Mukalla, Yemen’s largest port on the Arabian Sea and a key economic gateway, has previously been spared the most intense fighting elsewhere in the country but has been affected by shifting alliances among government units, local armed groups and southern separatists. The STC seized large swathes of territory last month, claiming control over the historical territory of the former South Yemen. The recent government advance has reversed many of those gains and could alter the balance of power in the east.

Analysts note the development occurs within a fractured, multi-sided conflict: while large-scale clashes between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi movement have eased compared with earlier years, rivalries among anti-Houthi factions—particularly between government forces and UAE-backed separatists—have intensified and complicated peace efforts. Residents expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming a stronger state presence and others fearing renewed confrontations. Humanitarian agencies warned any escalation could disrupt aid operations in a country already facing severe food insecurity and economic collapse.

Officials framed the Mukalla operation as part of broader efforts to consolidate control over areas outside Houthi influence and to prevent further fragmentation of state authority. Observers said the key questions now are whether government consolidation will bring stability to the eastern province or provoke fresh tensions among competing factions. International and local monitors continue to assess implications for security, humanitarian access and the wider political landscape in Yemen.