Southern Transitional Council Announces Withdrawal of Forces from Hadhramaut Amid Rising Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) of Yemen has announced the withdrawal of its forces from Hadhramaut, following a periodic meeting of its General Secretariat in Aden. The session, chaired by Nizar Haitham, Deputy Secretary-General, reviewed recent field developments in southern Yemen.
The STC’s statement claimed that the security situation in Hadhramaut has deteriorated after what it described as the ‘forced withdrawal of southern forces.’ The meeting also addressed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate a ‘political solution’ and host southern dialogue in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia had earlier called on all southern factions to participate in a Riyadh-hosted meeting to discuss solutions for southern Yemen. The STC emphasized the ‘urgent need for measures to ensure security and stability’ and to ‘direct the war towards the objectives of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.’
The STC continues to advocate for its secessionist demands, which the internationally recognized Yemeni government has consistently rejected, insisting on territorial unity. Meanwhile, Hadhramaut Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi confirmed the completion of the handover of military sites from STC forces, a process initiated by Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council.
Recent tensions in Yemen escalated on December 30, when Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of supporting STC military movements in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra. The Saudi-led coalition also reported targeting a weapons shipment allegedly sent from the UAE, prompting Al-Alimi to cancel a defense agreement with Abu Dhabi. The UAE denied the allegations, stating the shipment was intended for its own forces in Yemen and announced further troop withdrawals.
