Yemeni Separatists Seize Oil-Rich Provinces, Threatening Civil War

The Southern Transitional Council, or STC, has seized control of the oil-rich provinces of Hadramout and Mahra in Yemen, heightening tensions and threatening to reignite the ongoing civil war. The STC declared its takeover on Monday, claiming control of Aden, the seat of the internationally recognized government known as the Presidential Leadership Council, or PLC.

This move comes after a United Nations-brokered ceasefire was established in 2022, which maintained a fragile balance among the PLC, the Iran-backed Houthis, and the STC. The STC, which has been a significant armed force in southern Yemen, has long sought independence for the south, aiming to reinstate the Southern State that existed before Yemen's unification nearly forty years ago.

Despite being nominal allies with the PLC against the Houthis, the STC has denounced PLC leaders as corrupt and has often acted autonomously in territories it controls. The STC's aggressive actions are framed as necessary to ensure stability and security in the south and to combat extremist groups like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

STC spokesman Amr al-Bidh stated that their operations were focused on unifying their military forces to strengthen their readiness against the Houthis. Following the STC's advance, some PLC leaders reportedly fled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis have responded cautiously, repositioning troops out of Aden and sending a diplomatic delegation to ease tensions. Meanwhile, STC president Aidarous al-Zubaidi announced that their maneuvers aim to liberate northern Yemen from Houthi control, declaring that the era of side battles is over.

He emphasized that securing the south is essential for a serious campaign against the Houthis and indicated that Sanaa is the next target, whether through peace or war. This latest development underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in Yemen, particularly the roles of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which, despite their support for the PLC, have ties to the STC.