Saudi Arabia has officially called on the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) to withdraw its forces from the Yemeni governorates of Hadramout and Mahra. This announcement, made by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on December 25, 2023, raises concerns about potential confrontations within the delicate coalition fighting against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Saudi statement emphasizes the necessity for cooperation among all Yemeni factions to maintain stability and security in the region. The Foreign Ministry’s declaration highlights the importance of “exercising restraint” and avoiding actions that could lead to undesirable consequences. The STC, which has been supported by the United Arab Emirates, has recently expanded its control into these two governorates.
The Saudi government is currently mediating efforts to ensure that the STC’s forces return to their prior positions and hand over control of the camps in Hadramout and Mahra to the National Shield Forces, another group backed by Riyadh. The ministry described these mediation efforts as ongoing, aiming to restore the situation to its previous state.
Increasingly, the STC has raised the flag of South Yemen, a region that existed as an independent country from 1967 until the unification with North Yemen in 1990. Following the Saudi announcement, there were calls for demonstrations in Aden, a city that has become the power center for forces opposing the Houthis. The outcome of these planned protests remains uncertain.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also surfacing as both countries, while allied in the conflict, have competed for influence in Yemen. The coalition, which began its military intervention in March 2015, has faced years of challenges against the Iranian-backed Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. This conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with over 150,000 fatalities and widespread displacement.
The conflict in Yemen has pushed the nation to the brink of famine, marking it as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters. The ongoing violence has drawn international attention, particularly from the United States, which has conducted military operations against the Houthis. Earlier this year, the U.S. intensified its airstrikes against the rebel forces, which have also threatened regional shipping routes, notably in the Red Sea.
As the situation continues to evolve, the potential for further chaos in Yemen could once again engage international powers. The implications of the Saudi call for withdrawal from Hadramout and Mahra may significantly impact the dynamics of the coalition against the Houthis and the broader geopolitical landscape in the region.
