DID Press: Reports indicating the presence of Pakistani personnel in Yemen’s strategic Hadramawt province have fueled speculation about a new security realignment within the Saudi-led coalition, as the role of the United Arab Emirates appears to be diminishing in parts of the country.
According to local sources and eyewitness accounts, Pakistani personnel have reportedly been observed in several areas of Hadramawt, including the city of Mukalla, Riyan Airport, the Al-Khashaah and Nuhb regions, and near certain oil facilities. Islamabad has not officially confirmed the deployment.
Hadramawt, Yemen’s largest province and one of its most important oil-producing regions, has increasingly become a focal point of security developments. Reports suggest that the personnel are operating within the framework of the Saudi-led military coalition.
The reported deployment comes as Emirati influence and military involvement in some areas of Yemen have declined. Analysts and local observers suggest that Pakistani personnel may be gradually replacing forces previously associated with Abu Dhabi in securing key strategic sites.
Accounts of their mission vary. Some sources say their role involves assessing security conditions and assisting in the organization of Yemeni government forces, while others suggest responsibilities related to protecting energy infrastructure, training local personnel, and providing security support.
Pakistani authorities have not publicly clarified their position. Some sources in Pakistan have pointed to longstanding defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, while stopping short of confirming any deployment.
Analysts say the reported presence of Pakistani personnel in Hadramawt may reflect Saudi efforts to restructure coalition security arrangements and fill gaps created by the reduced role of the UAE in eastern Yemen, a development that could influence both Yemen’s internal dynamics and broader regional power balances.