Overview
- The Southern Transitional Council says its 'Promising Future' operation extended its presence across all eight southern governorates, including Hadramaut and Al-Mahra.
- STC forces seized PetroMasila and key sites in Aden, while Saudi troops withdrew from the presidential palace, the airport and Perim Island.
- Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi and Prime Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik departed to Riyadh, and Alimi said the moves violated power-sharing agreements.
- Saudi envoys engaged leaders in Hadramaut as Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Qahtani warned against a fait accompli, while the UAE stated support for a political process.
- No independence has been declared, but analysts warn of secession risk, economic disruption and sharpened Gulf rivalry as the Houthis retain control in the north.