Saudi-Backed Forces Advance in Eastern Yemen

News sources reported the advance of the Saudi-backed forces known as the Homeland Shield in eastern Yemen.

News ID: 87171

Date: 04 January 2026 - 11:14

TEHRAN (Defapress) - According to Al Jazeera, the head of the Saudi-backed Yemeni Leadership Council announced that the Homeland Shield forces have achieved exceptional success in retaking military and security positions in Hadramaut province in eastern Yemen.

He added that the necessary preparations are underway to hand over government bases and institutions in Al-Mahrah province to the Homeland Shield forces.

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council also emphasized that: I call on the Southern Transitional Council to adhere to the path of dialogue and to withdraw from its unilateral actions.

Meanwhile, the UAE-affiliated Southern Transitional Council, which had previously achieved successes in the eastern provinces of Yemen and was forced to retreat due to Saudi attacks on these areas, also announced: "We welcome Saudi Arabia's invitation to support and host the dialogue in the southern region of Yemen."

On Friday, the Saudi-affiliated Homeland Shield forces were able to take control of the city of Seiyun, the center of Hadhramaut in southern Yemen, which was under the control of the Southern Transitional Council forces, and the Emirati mercenaries retreated to the coastal strip.

As the administrative and military center of Hadhramaut, Seiyun plays a key role in the balance of power in eastern Yemen, and its developments could affect the political and security equations in the south of the country.

In recent years, southern Yemen has been the scene of intense competition between Saudi Arabia and the UAE for political and military influence.

The UAE has strengthened its presence in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah by supporting the forces known as the Southern Transitional Council. This rivalry has caused tension and sometimes confrontation between the two sides, further complicating the process of stabilization and a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.