Mukalla

Mukalla is a strategically important port city and the capital of the Hadramout Governorate in Yemen. Recent news highlights its significance in the ongoing Yemeni conflict. It's newsworthy due to escalating clashes between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) for control of the city and surrounding areas. Government forces recently retook areas around Mukalla from the STC, leading to a handover of military sites. Saudi Arabia has invited Yemeni factions, including those involved in the fighting around Mukalla, for dialogue in Riyadh. A Saudi air strike on Mukalla port occurred after ships unloaded weapons for southern separatists, and the Yemeni presidential council has demanded the departure of Emirati-backed forces. The city is also impacted by potential shipping fee hikes, raising concerns about humanitarian consequences in the war-torn country. Furthermore, reports have surfaced regarding secret prisons run by the UAE in Yemen, adding another layer of complexity to the situation in and around Mukalla.