Politician and journalist Salah Al-Saqladi wrote on his Facebook page about the return of engineer Haider Abu Bakr Al-Attas to Aden accompanied by President Rashad Al-Alimi, indicating that this step reflects a Saudi trend to put pressure on the Southern Transitional Council and the rest of the southern forces that reject the post-1994 situation.

Al-Saqladi considered that the return of Al-Attas comes at a sensitive time, as Riyadh seeks to strengthen its presence in Hadhramaut, which is considered a strategic governorate. He explained that Saudi Arabia has mobilized its military, tribal and economic capabilities in the region to reduce the presence of forces that conflict with its plans.

He pointed out that the large public event organized by the Transitional Council in Sayun had provoked the Saudi decision-maker, prompting Riyadh to use the “sneeze card” as part of its strategy in Hadramaut.

Al-Saqladi raised questions about whether the Kingdom would succeed in strengthening its influence in Hadramaut and Al-Mahra, and thus reducing the influence of the Transitional Council there, in the context of the ongoing conflict with the UAE.