The Homeland Shield Forces is a Yemeni military force announced in 2023 by the Presidential Leadership Council.
Background The forces were announced as "Happy Yemen Forces" in 2022, the group later changed their name to "New Giants Forces" but the change provoked mixed reactions.
In September 2022, the group name was officially changed to "Homeland Shield Forces".
History Foundation In 2023, Presidential Article 18 established the group as a "Reserve force for the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces", Rashad al-Alimi will decide the size, operations, and area of the group.
Operations On 2 January, 2026, during the 2025–2026 southern Yemen campaign, Rashad al-Alimi ordered Salem Ahmed Said Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, to assume command of the Homeland Shield Forces in the governorate and begin a military operation to take control of all military bases and camps under STC control. On 4 January, Yemeni forces announced that the Homeland Shield Forces had recaptured all nine districts of Hadhramaut Governorate. On 6 January, the Homeland Shield Forces entered the Abyan Governorate, following the withdrawal of the Southern Transitional Council. On 8 January, the Homeland Shield Forces entered Aden from the Abyan Governorate.
On September 13, during the 2026 Yemen offensives, the group claimed that its 6th Brigade had downed five drones during clashes in the al-Aghbara area.
Strength The Homeland Shield Forces have approximately 50,000 soldiers.
Organization The Homeland Shield Forces are divided into a brigade: 6th Brigade
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