Barran Press
A significant tribal gathering convened on Saturday in the eastern Yemeni governorate of Hadhramaut, where the Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance called for autonomous governance. Tribal leaders present at the assembly urged both regional and international actors, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, to endorse their claim for self-rule, characterizing it as a legitimate aspiration of the province's people.
The assembly, reportedly the largest mobilization of its kind in recent memory, drew thousands to the strategically important Al-Hadaba region, situated between Hadhramaut's coastal and inland areas. The Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance had issued the call for this demonstration.
Attendees, including prominent tribal elders and community figures, displayed banners rejecting external interference and advocating for complete administrative control over the resource-rich governorate. The final communiqué issued by the alliance underscored their demand for self-determination as a fundamental right. The alliance further pressed for swift action from international and regional stakeholders, notably Saudi Arabia, to facilitate the realization of this autonomous vision.
The statement explicitly rejected any resurgence of control by other Yemeni factions, a clear allusion to the Presidential Leadership Council and the Southern Transitional Council. It asserted Hadhramaut's inherent right to self-defense and the independent charting of its political trajectory.
Saudi Understanding Seen as Key to Future Determination
Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, the head of the Tribal Alliance, reinforced these sentiments during his address at the gathering. He stated that his recent engagement in Saudi Arabia had yielded confirmation of the Kingdom’s "understanding and support" for Hadhramaut’s aspirations. “We have perceived genuine credibility and serious engagement from our Saudi brothers,” Sheikh bin Habrish affirmed. “The people of Hadhramaut alone will determine their destiny.”
Sheikh bin Habrish reiterated the province's firm stance against any form of external hegemony, a remark widely interpreted as a move to distance Hadhramaut from southern separatist movements like the Southern Transitional Council.
In addition to their political demands, the alliance urgently called for immediate infrastructural development, prioritizing the provision of at least 500 megawatts of electricity in an initial phase to alleviate the governorate's persistent power shortages. "We extend a hand for peace within our land and the broader region, but our patience is finite," the communiqué cautioned.
Local Authorities Express Opposition
This push for autonomy has, however, elicited concern from local governing bodies. Just two days prior, on April 10, Hadhramaut’s Supreme Security Committee released a strongly worded statement condemning any actions aimed at destabilizing the governorate or exploiting existing crises for partisan objectives.
The statement, issued following an emergency meeting and reviewed by Barran Press, cautioned against any collaboration with armed groups or security entities operating outside the established legal framework. Subsequently, at least 35 statements of support were issued by tribal elders, officials, local councils, and military figures across Hadhramaut. These statements reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public order and rejecting separatist or unauthorized security activities.
Community leaders emphasized their role as “guardians of civil peace” and pledged their support for the local government’s efforts to restore stability. They lauded the Supreme Security Committee’s focus on neutrality, professionalism, and the preservation of Hadhramaut’s social cohesion.
Background: Oil Wealth, Crisis, and Escalating Tensions
Underlying tensions have been building for several months. On July 31, 2024, the Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance initiated a series of checkpoints and protest camps across various parts of the governorate, demanding a fair allocation of oil revenues. These actions were described by tribal leaders as the initial phase of a planned escalation to secure the province’s rights and resources.
The Supreme Security Committee has consistently maintained that all grievances must be addressed through established state and legal channels. It has warned of decisive measures against any group that threatens peace and has urged all actors to prioritize the collective interests of Hadhramaut above narrow agendas.