Yemen: Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced it is on the verge of declaring an independent state in the south. 'The south is approaching a decisive moment embodied by the declaration of a state, and this hope has become nearly complete,' stated Ali al-Kathiri, head of the STC's National Assembly, during a meeting with local dignitaries and tribal figures from Hadramout. This statement was cited by the council's official website.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kathiri emphasized the importance of 'fortifying the internal front against any chaos or divisions to preserve the achievements made.' Addressing local and regional calls for the withdrawal of STC forces from Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces in eastern Yemen, Kathiri asserted that the STC 'has not attacked anyone' and that 'the people of the south are defending their land, which they liberated.'

Kathiri also expressed a desire to 'maintain relations with brothers in the Arab Coalition countries, foremost among them Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.' However, he rejected 'any attempts to break the will of the people of the south by parties that failed to liberate their own areas and are seeking to liquidate the cause of the southern people,' referring to the internationally recognized government fighting the Houthi group.

There has been no immediate comment from the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE on these statements. On Friday evening, Hadramout experienced a new military escalation resulting in casualties during clashes between STC forces and the Hadramout Tribes Alliance, which also calls for self-rule in the province.

In response, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi urged the Saudi-led coalition to take necessary measures to protect civilians in Hadramout and support the army in enforcing de-escalation. He reiterated his demand for the immediate withdrawal of STC forces from Hadramout and Mahra.

Since December 3, STC forces have taken control of parts of Hadramout following clashes with the Hadramout Tribes Alliance and government-aligned First Military Region forces. Four days later, STC forces expanded their control to Mahra, previously under government authority.

The STC frequently claims that successive governments have politically and economically marginalized southern regions and advocates for their separation from the north. These claims are rejected by the Yemeni authorities, who insist on preserving the country's territorial unity. On May 22, 1990, the Yemen Arab Republic (North) unified with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South) to form the Republic of Yemen.