Hadhrami Elite Forces

The Hadhrami Elite Forces (HEF; قوات النخبة الحضرمية) are special operations forces formed by the Arab coalition forces, under the supervision of the United Arab Emirates, with funding from Saudi Arabia, and technical support from the United States, to liberate the city of Mukalla from al-Qaeda.

The Hadhrami Elite Forces consist of soldiers belonging to tribes who support legitimacy in exile as well as local recruits from Hadhramaut Governorate. These forces are distinguished by the fact that they are formed from those belonging to Hadhramaut Governorate only, which means that Yemenis from other regions are not allowed to join them. Emirati security officers are training the new security force, which is managed by the second Military Region in the coastal areas. It has been provided with tanks, weapons, and logistical matters, which were mostly provided by Saudi Arabia.

The Hadhrami Elite Forces recruit both from the Interior (Wadis) and Coastal regions of Hadhramaut and as of 2023 they have an army of 7,000 Men. They seek a higher degree of autonomy for Hadhramaut and are aligned with the STC.

The Hadhrami Elite Forces has established a strong control over much of Hadhramaut, controlling Mukalla, the capital city of the Hadhramaut Governorate and continued to expand towards many other Coastal districts.

Battle of Mukalla
On April 24, 2016, the Hadhrami elite, supported by the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, took control of the city of Mukalla, the administrative capital of Hadramaut Governorate and the Hadhramaut region, from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. This is the first time that military forces have moved to the city since Al-Qaeda took control of the island. The Arabs have been in control of it since April 2015, and about 2,000 soldiers from the Hadhrami elite forces, supported by Saudi and Emirati special forces, moved into Mukalla and took control of the port and airport, with air support from Saudi Air Force aircraft, and set up checkpoints in various parts of the city.

The Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy announced that it had killed more than 800 Al-Qaeda militants in the Arabian Peninsula, while other reports indicate that Al-Qaeda militants withdrew after minor clashes.