The Southern Transitional Council (STC), led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi and backed by the United Arab Emirates
By Bernie,
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi and backed by the United Arab Emirates, announced on January 2 a two-year transitional process toward declaring an independent "State of South Arabia" by January 2, 2028. The plan includes a draft constitution, development of administrative institutions, and a referendum on self-determination, with the STC stating it could move sooner if what it describes as continued aggression persists. The announcement has sharply intensified tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, former allies in the Yemen conflict, as clashes escalate between UAE-backed STC forces and Saudi-supported units loyal to the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).
In late December, STC-linked fighters seized control of Shabwa and Abyan provinces, displacing Saudi-aligned forces and forcing the PLC government to relocate from Aden to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against STC positions, while PLC-aligned forces pushed the STC out of areas in eastern Hadramawt and al-Mahra, retaking several key sites.
The proposed state mirrors the territory of the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, which existed from 1967 to 1990, as Yemen's civil war continues. Saudi officials have called for comprehensive dialogue in Riyadh and demanded a reversal of recent territorial changes, while the UAE has urged restraint without condemning the STC, after previously announcing a withdrawal of its forces from STC-held areas. The STC has welcomed talks but reaffirmed its independence timeline. The situation in southern Yemen remains highly fluid amid these escalating tensions, and we will continue to monitor developments closely, providing updates as new events unfold.
Topics: Yemen & Red Sea, Diplomacy
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