January 2nd, 2026 - Yemen Deploys Military Forces to Expel Separatist Group

The conflict over control of an oil-rich region in southern Yemen escalated on Friday when the Yemeni government announced that it was deploying its armed forces to expel a rival faction, the Southern Transitional Council (STC). This separatist group has been gaining ground in recent weeks and aims to establish its own independent state, which has triggered tensions with the government. An armed faction aligned with the STC declared that they were now at “war” with the internationally recognized Yemeni government in the region of Hadhramaut.

The Yemeni government is supported by Saudi Arabia, while the STC has backing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These differing alliances have strained relations between the two Gulf powers, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, exacerbating the already volatile situation in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition, which has been active in Yemen since 2015, has joined the military operations in Hadhramaut at the request of the Yemeni government, according to Mohammed Qizan, the Yemeni deputy information minister.

While the Saudi government and its coalition did not immediately comment on their involvement in Friday's military operation, the UAE refrained from issuing any statement. The STC reported that several of its fighters were killed in the battle, though the exact death toll remains unclear. Saudi Arabia has long called for the STC to withdraw its forces, and tensions reached a new peak on Tuesday when a Saudi-led airstrike targeted a shipment coming from the UAE, which Yemen’s government alleged was carrying weapons for the separatists. The UAE denied the accusation but announced it was withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen.

Friday’s military action marked the latest effort by the Yemeni government to reassert control over Hadhramaut. Hadhramaut’s provincial governor, Salem al-Khanbashi, downplayed the operation, calling it a "peaceful" measure to neutralize heavy weaponry in the region and prevent further chaos. He insisted that the goal was not to escalate the conflict but to stabilize the area.

As of Friday evening, the situation on the ground remained unclear, with both the government and the STC claiming victories. Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of the STC, remained defiant, calling for a referendum to establish an independent state. The STC also claimed to have successfully repelled a large-scale government assault. Meanwhile, Yemeni state television reported that the government had regained control of the largest military camp in the province. These claims have not been independently verified.

Residents of Hadhramaut reported hearing heavy explosions and gunfire throughout the day, with many staying indoors to avoid stray bullets hitting homes and farms. One resident, Haj Mabrook, described the situation as tense, saying, “I don’t know exactly what is happening, but we can hear intense fighting.” The ongoing violence has further intensified fears of instability in Yemen, where the complex civil war continues to devastate the country.

The historical alliance between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has deteriorated over Yemen, as both countries back different factions with competing visions for the nation’s future. This rift underscores the growing geopolitical divide, complicating efforts to bring peace to a country already ravaged by years of war.

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