The conflict in Yemen threatens to escalate further. The regional government of Hadramaut province announced that it would retake an area currently held by separatists from the so-called Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The governor of Hadramaut province, Salem Ahmed Said al-Khunbashi, emphasized that this was not a declaration of war. A “peaceful operation” was planned to ensure security, he said. He didn’t give any details. The separatists then announced that their forces were on alert throughout the region.
Fight for influence in Yemen
For more than a decade, Yemen has been effectively divided into a north controlled by the Houthis and a south controlled by the fragmented ruling alliance. While the Houthis are supported by Iran, the governing alliance receives support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Last month there was a break between the alliance partners Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Although both countries are fighting together against the Houthis, they have been in rivalry with each other for years. The STC, which seeks the secession of southern Yemen, seized large swathes of the south controlled by the internationally recognized Saudi-backed government. The UAE then announced last week that it would withdraw its remaining troops from Yemen following an ultimatum from Saudi Arabia.
This article will continue to be updated.
