The "Hadramout First" Million-Person Rally Event Issues Final Statement and Highlights Full Support for HEFs (Official Statement)

The “massive public rally event, themed ”Hadhramout First," issued on Thursday evening a final statement reiterating full public support for the Hadhrami Elite Forces (HEFs) and demanding their empowerment to extend security control over all of Hadramout, and commended their pivotal role in maintaining security and stability since their founding. The statement read as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the praise of Allah and His peace be on Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], his family, and Companions.

O dear people of Hadramout in particular and the South in general, today, we gather at this massive rally event to celebrate the anniversary of Hadramout’s victory over the forces of terrorism and criminality, defeating them on April 24, 2016, in a battle that was not just about security but also politics. It represented a practical rejection of reviving the tools of the occupation regime, which used terrorism as a means to tighten its grip on Hadramout. This glorious day marked a pivotal turning point in Hadramout’s history, as its people—from all walks of life—came together in a spirit of cohesiveness and cooperation, standing alongside the valiant Hadrami Elite Forces (HEFs), with the support of our brothers in the Arab Coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The liberation of Hadramout’s coastal cities from the grip of terrorism and extremism was achieved through a highly professional military operation, ushering in a new dawn for the coastal districts. This marked the beginning of a transformative phase that restored Hadramout to its historic leading role at the heart of the political and social equation as an embodiment of its prominent national role within the inclusive project of the South.

While commemorating this momentous anniversary, we express the immense pride of the people of Hadramout—and all of the South—in the HEFs and their achievements since their founding. They have truly set a leading example of efficiency, discipline, and loyalty, earning the full support of Hadramout’s citizens and the broader governorates of the South, as they see in these forces the embodiment of their sterling will to safeguard security and stability.

The HEFs, together with brothers in the Arab Coalition, made immense sacrifices, and through their combat expertise and overwhelming popular support coalescing around them, they managed to decisively win the battle within days. This victory ushered in a new era of security and stability across Hadramout’s Coast, further solidifying their role within the broader entirety of the South. Over the past nine years since liberation, these forces have proven their resilience and resolve in confronting challenges, cleansing vast territories of terrorist elements, and fostering social peace until Hadramout’s security becomes a good role model for emulation.

Our steadfast and resilient people of Hadramout,

Today, at this historic moment and from this blessed square that has been and still is a witness to the unrelenting struggles of our people throughout years of peaceful movement, we reaffirm our full solidarity with the HEFs and declare our unwavering support and stand united behind them.

With a univocal Hadhrami voice, we reiterate that the HEFs are a red line, founded to endure as the safety valve and unshakable foundation for security and stability across all of Hadramout. They stand as an impenetrable fortress against whoever dares to threaten its safety or undermine the hard-won gains.

Therefore, today we reaffirm: Hadramout must be governed by civil, military, and security institutions rooted in the will of its people, and opportunities must be extended to all its citizens—across political and social spectrums—to strengthen internal cohesiveness, ensure inclusive partnership, and uphold dignity, justice, and sustainable development for Hadramout.

In light of the current circumstances facing Hadramout, we would like to emphasize the following:

Firstly, Hadramout has been and will definitely remain among the pioneering and leading governorates in the national project of the South, with its historic contributions and active role at every phase of the struggle, alongside the rest of the governorates of the South, which have all made immense sacrifices and taken honorable stands in the march towards liberation and independence.

Furthermore, the South we aspire to build today and in the future is neither the South of pre-1967 nor pre- or post-1990. Rather, it is a new South—a modern federal state—founded on principles of justice, equilibrium, and equitable representation that meets the entitlements of all its components. At the forefront are the legitimate demands and rights of the people of Hadramout, as reaffirmed, endorsed, and committed to in the foundational documents and principles of the STC since its founding.

Secondly, this massive rally highlights that Hadhramout represents the strategic depth and a fundamental pillar of the South, as there is no South without Hadhramout and no Hadhramout exists outside the framework of the South. Historically and enduringly, it has been and still is at the forefront of the struggles and in the heart of decision-making centers of the South, guided by responsibility and inclusive national consciousness.

Thirdly, the legitimate rights and demands of the people of Hadramout can only be regained through unity of purpose, concerted effort, rapprochement, and rejecting all forms of division and fragmentation. While varying visions for the future may exist, the STC firmly believes these should not impede consensus on the present and extends its hand to all forces and components in Hadramout for joint action in this critical phase to manage the governorate’s affairs, safeguard its interests, and realize its people’s aspirations for security, services, and development.

Fourthly, the slogan "Hadramout First" embodies a call to action for the common good of Hadramout and transcends personal or factional interests. It reflects an advanced civic culture rooted in responsibility and partnership while fostering an inclusive national consciousness across the South.

This orientation reflects the civilizational and moral role that Hadramout can play in the modern federal South by presenting a modern, civic Hadhrami model built on justice, law, and order.

Fifthly: The attendees in the "Hadramout First" million-person rally commend the heightened security vigilance demonstrated by security services along Hadramout's coast, which has embodied a par excellence model in safeguarding peace and stability. While we applaud these efforts, we call for increased vigilance and intensified and responsible security work to maintain public tranquility and uphold the rights of all Hadhramis without exception.

Sixthly: Emphasizing the critical need to enhance the professional capabilities of the HEFs through ongoing training and equipping them with advanced specialized assets, including modern technological means and unmanned aerial vehicles, to enable them to effectively counter the growing security challenges facing Hadramout. We call on all citizens of Hadhramaut to support these forces as a national institution whose success depends on society's solidarity and coalescing around them, thereby strengthening synergy between security and civil efforts to reflect the comprehensive renaissance of Hadhramaut.

In this context, participants call for modernizing the institutionalized identity of the HEFs by removing all symbols and slogans associated with the former regime, reinforcing their belonging to Hadramout and the South while preserving their professionalism and institutional discipline.

Seventhly, we reiterate our legitimate demand for the HEFs to extend their deployment over all of Hadramout’s territory while transferring the First Military Region forces to frontlines against the Houthi militias as per the Riyadh Agreement and Consultations.

Eighthly: The people of Hadramout reiterate their call for the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and government to expedite implementation of the PLC’s approved matrix addressing urgent priorities and demands of the people of Hadramout as ratified in its January 7, 2025 meeting, which constitute only a small fraction of the broader rights and demands owed to Hadramout’s people.

 We highlight that the STC will remain at the forefront of Hadramout’s struggle to secure their full demands without diminution, and no further neglect or procrastination will be tolerated, as this critical phase necessitates transparency and national responsibility.

Ninthly: The participants in this massive event express their deep appreciation for the STC, which has been and still consistently stands by the people of Hadramout and advocates their legitimate rights, and which is a part and parcel of Hadramaut's political and social fabric. The STC has championed the governorate’s aspirations and adopted their just demands in its programs and political positions, foremost among which is their right to manage the affairs of their governorate and benefit from their resources. Moreover, the STC’s Local Leadership Executive Body (LLEB) in Hadramout has been keen to establish communication channels and follow-up to ensure the realization of these demands, making them a permanent priority in its orientations.

The people of Hadramout highly value the steadfast stances of President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, President of the STC and Vice Chairman of the PLC, for his unwavering support and endorsement for their legitimate demands, foremost among which are the right to empower them to manage the affairs of their governorate and equitably benefit from their resources.

The participants in this massive public rally event renew their full confidence in the leadership of President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi to pursue the path of struggle alongside all the people of the South until their full aspirations are realized, prioritizing the liberation of all Southern territories and the establishment of the aspired federal state of the South.

Tenthly, the participants in this majestic rally commend the great and effective role of the Arab Coalition countries, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for their unwavering support of military efforts against Houthi militias, counterterrorism operations, and the consolidation of security and stability in the entire region.

In conclusion, we emphasize that Hadramout, through its steadfast stances, deeply rooted cohesiveness, sound consciousness, and diversity of its people, will remain a fundamental pillar of peace and a driving force for the just national project of the South that accommodates all and guarantees partnership, dignity, and stability for all the people of the South.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

Issued by the Massive Public Rally Event, themed "Hadramout First."

Al-Mukalla, Hadhramout, April 24, 2025