The civil war in Yemen is on the verge of reigniting after the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a powerful secessionist faction, seized control of two major provinces in the country’s south, along with the de facto capital of the internationally recognized government. The STC’s surprise offensive has destabilized the already fragile political situation and could spark a new front in the war-torn nation.
On Monday, the STC announced that it had taken full control of the oil-rich Hadramout and Mahra provinces, as well as the strategic port city of Aden. The group, backed by the United Arab Emirates, claims its actions were necessary to bring stability to southern Yemen, secure vital oil infrastructure, and cut off smuggling routes allegedly used by Houthi militants.
The STC, which aims to restore the former independent nation of South Yemen, had previously cooperated with the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in fighting the Iran-supported Houthi insurgency. While technically part of the PLC, the STC has long operated independently, criticizing the central government as corrupt and ineffective. The sudden seizure of territory marks a major fracture in their already uneasy alliance.
According to STC spokesman Amr al-Bidh, the STC’s Southern Armed Forces and allied Hadrami Elite Forces (HEF) met only limited resistance from PLC troops, who reportedly withdrew or fled. High-level members of the PLC government, including its president and prime minister, have reportedly escaped to Saudi Arabia.
The rapid power shift has left the region on edge. Although the STC claims it is not turning against the PLC or Saudi-led coalition, its unilateral action has drawn sharp condemnation from PLC leader Rashad al-Alimi, who called it a “blatant violation” of their agreements. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have so far responded cautiously, signaling concern but stopping short of outright condemnation.
STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi described the southern takeover as the foundation for a broader campaign to retake northern Yemen from the Houthis. Declaring an end to “side battles,” he claimed the STC was now leading the charge against Iran’s influence in the region and was better equipped than the PLC to fight the Houthis.
As diplomatic delegations scramble to de-escalate tensions, the STC’s bold moves have dramatically reshaped the battlefield. Whether this leads to a renewed push against the Houthis or plunges Yemen into another deadly civil war remains to be seen.
