Saudi Arabia Calls for Yemeni Separatists to Withdraw from Hadramout and Al-Mahra

Saudi Arabia has formally called on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to withdraw its forces from Yemen's Hadramout and Al-Mahra governorates, citing concerns over unilateral military actions that could destabilize the region.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the STC's recent movements were conducted without coordination with Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council or the coalition leadership, leading to an "unjustified escalation" that harms the interests of the Yemeni people and undermines coalition efforts.

In response, a joint Saudi-Emirati military team was dispatched to Aden to coordinate with the STC, aiming to facilitate the withdrawal of STC forces from the two governorates and the handover of military camps to the National Shield Forces and local authorities under coalition supervision.

The STC, backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been advocating for the re-establishment of an independent South Yemen, which existed as a separate state until 1990. Their recent advances into Hadramout and Al-Mahra have raised concerns about potential secessionist movements and further fragmentation within Yemen.

Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni factions to maintain security and stability, urging the STC to prioritize public interest by ending the escalation and withdrawing its forces promptly.

The situation underscores the complex dynamics within the coalition fighting against the Houthi rebels and highlights the challenges in achieving a unified approach to Yemen's ongoing conflict.