Saudi Arabia warns southern Yemeni separatist group to withdraw from two provinces

International Desk, PNN

Saudi Arabia has publicly called on Yemen’s main southern separatist party, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), to withdraw from the Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra provinces, which it occupied in December. The kingdom warned that the group’s military operations create “unjustified tensions” and increase divisions within the government coalition.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday: “Cooperation and restraint among all Yemeni parties are essential to maintain security and stability and avoid unintended consequences.” Efforts are underway to have STC forces return to previous positions and hand over provincial camps to the National Shield Forces.

The STC, which previously received military and financial support from the UAE, rapidly entered Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra in early December, seizing major oil facilities, government buildings, and border checkpoints. During this time, the group also captured the Presidential Palace in Aden, the temporary headquarters of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have long supported the Yemeni government against Iranian-backed Houthis during the civil war. Although STC is part of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, it operates independently.

Refusing to withdraw, STC has expanded operations into neighboring Abyan province and announced plans to capture the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital, Sana’a. Leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi recently told supporters that the South is at “a critical and existential time,” and it is essential to establish future Southern Arabian state institutions.

Analysts warn that STC’s expansion could destabilize Yemen’s fragile peace process and pose a significant risk to ongoing political solutions and security.