Overview
- Saudi Arabia labeled the Southern Transitional Council’s recent advances an unjustified escalation and called for an urgent, orderly withdrawal.
- The STC moved into the eastern provinces of Hadramout and Mahra earlier this month, extending its reach across the south.
- A joint Saudi‑Emirati military delegation arrived in Aden on December 12 to set arrangements for the STC to return to prior positions.
- The Saudi plan envisions handing over seized camps to the Saudi‑backed National Shield Forces, raising the risk of friction within the anti‑Houthi coalition.
- The STC has increasingly flown the former South Yemen flag, adding pressure to Saudi‑UAE ties as both seek influence in Yemen.