Saudi Arabia Demands Emirati-Backed Separatists Withdraw From Key Yemeni Regions

Saudi Arabia issued a public demand this week. It called for Emirati-backed separatists in southern Yemen to pull back their forces. This escalates tensions within the fragile anti-Houthi coalition. The situation threatens to open a new front in Yemen’s long-running war.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the statement on Thursday. It specifically targets the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The STC is a separatist group that seeks an independent southern Yemen. According to the Associated Press, the STC recently moved into the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra.

Coalition Fracture Threatens Yemen’s Fragile Stability

The Saudi statement calls the STC’s actions an “unjustified escalation.” It says these moves harm the interests of the Yemeni people. Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The UAE, however, has long supported the STC separatists.

This public rift pressures the Saudi-Emirati relationship. Both are key OPEC members and close allies. Yet they now back opposing local forces in Yemen’s complex conflict. Mediation efforts are reportedly underway to have STC forces return to previous positions.

The conflict’s dynamics are shifting dangerously. The STC’s advance challenges the Saudi-backed government’s authority in the south. This internal fighting diverts resources from the main war against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the north.

Broader Regional Implications and Continued Houthi Threat

Further chaos in Yemen risks drawing in more international actors. The United States has conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets this year. The Houthis have disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea for months.

Meanwhile, the Houthis held a funeral for a senior commander. The commander was reportedly killed in a U.S. strike in March. He was identified as the group’s top missile and drone chief. The war has already created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The Saudi demand for a separatist withdrawal marks a critical juncture. It exposes deep fractures within the anti-Houthi alliance. This internal Yemeni conflict now threatens to undermine the entire coalition’s stability and prolong regional suffering.

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Q1: Who are the Southern Transitional Council?

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is a separatist group in Yemen. It is backed by the United Arab Emirates. The STC seeks the secession of southern Yemen as an independent state.

Q2: What did Saudi Arabia demand?

Saudi Arabia demanded the STC withdraw from Hadramout and Mahra governorates. It wants these areas handed over to the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces. The kingdom called the STC’s advance an unjustified escalation.

Q3: Why is this rift significant?

It reveals a major split between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both are formal allies in the coalition against the Houthis. Their competition for influence in Yemen now risks sparking open conflict between their local partners.

Q4: Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis are an Iran-backed rebel group from northern Yemen. They seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. They have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s recognized government since 2015.

Q5: What is the humanitarian situation?

The war has killed over 150,000 people. It has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The conflict is considered one of the globe’s worst humanitarian disasters.