Ankara: Trkiye on Friday expressed concerns regarding the "prevailing situation" in Yemen, stating that it is a "source of concern." In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry acknowledged Saudi Arabia's "prudent stance" amidst the current escalation and commended the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to promote security and stability in Yemen. The ministry emphasized Ankara's commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at safeguarding Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while working towards ensuring peace and prosperity in the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, since December 3, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces have seized control of parts of eastern Yemen's Hadramout following confrontations with the Hadramout Tribes Alliance and government-aligned First Military Region forces. The situation further escalated when, four days later, STC forces extended their control to the eastern province of Mahra, previously under government authority.

A joint Saudi-Emirati military team has been dispatched to Aden in southern Yemen to coordinate with the STC for arrangements to ensure that its forces return to their prior positions outside the two provinces. The takeover has led to increasing local and regional demands for STC forces to withdraw from Hadramout and Mahra, which together comprise nearly half of Yemen's territory, approximately 555,000 square kilometers.

The UN has raised alarms that the ongoing escalation could pose serious consequences for Yemen, a nation already grappling with one of the world's most severe humanitarian and economic crises.