Yemen’s separatist STC refuses to withdraw from provinces near Saudi Arabia

As Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the internationally renowned Presidential Leadership Council, issued a warning against unilateral military actions by southern separatists, tensions are still high in Yemen.

Al-Alimi warned that serious consequences would result from further advancements by separatists from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces.

His warning came after STC forces took control of the resource-rich provinces in a surprise offensive in December. Riyadh claimed that the United Arab Emirates is trying to smuggle the STC, and Riyadh warned that Yemen’s security is threatened by the STC’s presence in Yemeni provinces that border Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s security is being supported by the UAE, which has refuted those claims.

The STC, in contrast, has rejected al-Alimi’s rule and vowed that its fighters will remain in the provinces that Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government want them to leave.

The organization announced a new agreement on Wednesday night that would increase its presence further by putting additional separatist forces there. Official responses to this announcement have not been made by the Yemeni government or Saudi Arabia.

In a video posted on X, STC spokesperson Mohammed al-Naqeeb stated that the group’s units would continue operating in the seized areas. However, he added that they would be coordinated with the Saudi-led coalition and the “Homeland Shield” forces.

a solitary withdrawal

Salem al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadramout, claimed that the STC’s response to official requests for a withdrawal had been constrained.

He urged the separatists to leave Hadramout and return to their original positions in an Arabic interview with Al Jazeera. He claimed he hoped there would be no bloodshed and that continued defiance could lead to province-level hostility.

After two ships leaving Fujairah, the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on weapons and military vehicles at the port of Mukalla on Tuesday. STC is in charge of Mulla.

Saudi Arabia claimed that the UAE was sending military equipment to the STC as its troops gained access to Hadramout and al-Mahra, calling it a “red line.”

The accusation was refuted in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE described the allegations as “allegations,” but it later announced that Yemen’s “counterterrorism” teams had finished their last mission.

The STC, which wants to annex southern Yemen, made its most recent military moves in early December, disregarding local and regional calls for resumption.