Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition has warned the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the main southern separatist group, that any military actions in the eastern province of Hadramout that undermine de-escalation efforts will be met with force to protect civilians, the Saudi state news agency reported on Saturday.
The statement came from coalition spokesperson General Turki al-Malki following a request from Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head, Rashad al-Alimi. Al-Alimi asked the coalition to take immediate steps to safeguard civilians from what he described as “violations committed by armed groups affiliated with the STC.”
The warning follows heightened tensions as the STC continues to assert control in southern Yemen. Earlier this month, the group pushed the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government from its headquarters in Aden and has claimed broader authority across the south. On Friday, the STC rejected a Saudi call for its forces to withdraw from areas it captured, stating that it would continue securing the eastern provinces of Hadramout and Mahra.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman also addressed the situation on Saturday, urging the STC to respond to mediation efforts led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In a post on X, he called on the group to pull back its forces from camps in Hadramout and Mahra, warning that continued escalation could threaten civilians and regional stability.
The STC’s refusal to comply with Saudi and UAE mediation reflects ongoing friction between southern separatists and Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Analysts note that the group has grown increasingly assertive in recent months, challenging both the government and coalition forces while consolidating control over key southern territories.
Hadramout and Mahra have become focal points of tension as the STC seeks to expand its influence. Local residents have expressed concern over the potential for violence and disruption, particularly given the region’s strategic significance and history of instability.
The Saudi-led coalition has repeatedly stressed its role in supporting de-escalation and protecting civilians, signaling that any attempts by armed groups to alter the balance of power could prompt direct intervention. International observers have called for renewed dialogue between the STC and Yemen’s government to prevent further escalation and humanitarian fallout.
As mediation efforts continue, the situation remains tense in Yemen’s south, with both sides facing pressure to avoid conflict while asserting control over strategic territories.
