Mokalla Riots, Shootout Injure Civilians and Police During Festival

Several civilians and police officers sustained injuries on Friday amidst riots and gunfire in Mokalla, the capital of Hadhramaut Governorate. The incidents occurred concurrently with a large influx of visitors for the annual Al-Balda tourism festival, which runs until July 31.

Local sources reported that the disturbances began on Al-Sitteen beach when a dispute erupted between a group of young men. The altercation rapidly escalated from throwing sand to hurling stones, water bottles, and shoes, leading to chaos among beachgoers.

Police forces intervened to break up the clashes and regain control of the area. However, the situation deteriorated further with gunfire during the containment efforts, resulting in casualties among both civilians and security personnel.

Security teams worked to disperse the crowds and secure the location, while panic spread among families and visitors present on the beach. As of now, local authorities and security agencies have not issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of the incident, the number of injured, or the reasons behind the gunfire and the identities of those involved.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from citizens, who view such actions as detrimental to the tourism atmosphere of Mokalla during the Al-Balda season, particularly as the governorate welcomes thousands of visitors from across Yemen.