Southern Transitional Council Claims Control Over Southern Yemen

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced its control over all southern provinces of Yemen, including the strategic port city of Aden, following a military operation named "Promising Future". Amr al-Bidh, a senior STC official, stated that the eight southern governorates "are under the protection of the Southern Armed Forces". He emphasized the STC's focus on unifying their armed forces to enhance coordination and readiness, aiming to reinforce stability and security in the south, as well as to combat the Houthis if necessary.

The STC's recent actions signify a major shift in control within southern Yemen. The group seeks greater autonomy for the south, which was an independent state until unification with the north in 1990. The STC reported that senior figures from other groups had left Aden, including the head of the eight-member body that acts in place of a president, and the prime minister.

The STC, previously backed by the United Arab Emirates during Yemen's civil war, has had a contentious relationship with other factions in the Saudi-backed government. This government relocated to Aden after the Iran-aligned Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Since 2022, the STC has participated in an administration controlling southern areas outside Houthi control, under a Saudi-backed power-sharing initiative.

Presidential Council head Rashad al-Alimi, who briefed diplomats in Riyadh, stated that the STC's actions across the south "undermine the legitimacy of the internationally recognized government" and violate power-sharing agreements. A UAE official indicated that the country's position on Yemen aligns with Saudi Arabia in supporting a political process based on Gulf-backed initiatives and United Nations resolutions, without directly addressing the STC's recent moves. Saudi Arabia has not immediately responded to requests for comment.