Yemen: Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched a new military operation in the southern province of Abyan amid rising tensions in the country's south on Monday. The STC-affiliated Security Belt Forces announced that the operation aims to 'cut supply lines for terrorist elements and organizations' in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mohsen Abdullah al-Wali, the forces' commander, stated that the forces are determined to sever the supply lines of terrorist groups and prevent any attempts at their return or reorganization. He described the operation as an extension of a series of security and military achievements by the Southern Armed Forces in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah governorates.
STC-affiliated Aden TV reported the deployment of council forces to secure the eastern entrance of Wadi Hadramout and the Hadramout desert. Local media outlets published images of STC forces in black military uniforms, equipped with weapons and military vehicles. There was no immediate comment from Yemen's internationally recognized government on the STC operation.
The STC, formed in 2017, advocates for the secession of southern Yemen and a return to the pre-1990 political arrangement, citing marginalization by successive governments-a claim denied by the authorities. Rising tensions in southern Yemen have increased fears of the country's division, as regional and international peace efforts have failed amid the ongoing war between government forces and the Houthi group.
The situation escalated after STC forces took over Al-Mahrah governorate and seized areas in Hadramout, including oilfields and facilities. Last week, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi called for the immediate withdrawal of STC forces from these regions, which constitute nearly half of Yemen's geographical area.
Alimi emphasized that withdrawal is crucial for normalizing conditions in the eastern regions and restoring growth and recovery. However, STC National Assembly Chairman Abdullah Al-Kathiri rejected the withdrawal calls, asserting that the achievements must be preserved. Militarily, Hadramout's coastal cities are controlled by STC-aligned Hadramout Elite Forces, while the internationally recognized government controls Marib and Taiz.
Yemen was unified in May 1990, but political disputes and longstanding grievances in the south have reignited secessionist calls, particularly amid the ongoing civil war. Despite efforts, peace in Yemen remains elusive as the conflict between government forces and the Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, continues.