Saudi-backed coalition forces in Yemen have recaptured several key cities and positions, including areas in Hadramawt, from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) secessionist forces backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid growing regional tensions.
The Saudi Arabian government has accused the UAE of “pushing the STC towards its borders” and issued a call to the group to join the negotiating table. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the internationally recognised government of Yemen, stated over the weekend that Riyadh-backed forces had achieved significant success against the STC.
He said the coalition forces had achieved “record success” in “retaking all military and security positions in the province” near Saudi Arabia’s border.
Since last week, Yemen has witnessed a massive escalation in tensions with the UAE after separatist forces took control of parts of Hadramawt and advanced towards al-Mahra in early December. More than 100 STC fighters have been killed in recent fighting with the Saudi-backed coalition, according to reports.
Yemeni government sources also confirmed that hundreds of members of the STC’s forces were wounded and dozens taken captive. The forces, according to officials, aim to push the STC out of southern Yemen, from Hadramawt to Aden, an STC stronghold.
The situation between the two Gulf neighbours remains tense despite the UAE’s agreement to begin withdrawing troops from the war-torn country. The country, according to the UN, faces one of the worst humanitarian crises as it heads into 2026.
Yemen is divided broadly into three power centres. The Houthis control the north and the capital, Sanaa, while the STC, a secessionist group that seeks an independent south, controls much of the south, and the Saudi-supported government holds influence in the central and western regions.
Also read: Yemen shuts operations at Aden airport amid conflict with UAE
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