Saudi Arabia has called on Yemen’s main southern separatist group to withdraw from two eastern provinces seized earlier this month, a move that highlights growing strains within the coalition opposing the Houthi movement.
The demand, issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, follows the Southern Transitional Council’s rapid expansion into Hadramout and al-Mahra, two oil-rich governorates viewed as strategically sensitive by neighboring states.
Riyadh described the operation as an unjustified escalation and warned that internal divisions risk undermining security and stability at a moment of continued political fragility.
In its statement, Saudi Arabia urged restraint among all Yemeni factions and stressed the importance of cooperation to avoid further destabilization.
The kingdom stresses the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni factions and components to exercise restraint and avoid any measures that could destabilise security and stability, which may result in undesirable consequences.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi officials said mediation efforts are under way to secure an orderly withdrawal of STC forces to their previous positions outside the two governorates.
The plan also includes handing over military camps in the areas to the National Shield Forces, which operate under the Saudi-backed framework.
Riyadh said it remains hopeful the separatist group will comply in an urgent and orderly manner to help restore the situation to its prior state.
The STC moved into the provinces in early December, seizing key oil facilities, border crossings, and government buildings with little resistance.
The group also took control of the presidential palace in Aden, the temporary seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Although the STC is formally part of the Presidential Leadership Council, its actions have increasingly diverged from the government it nominally supports.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both backers of the anti-Houthi alliance since 2015, sent a joint delegation to Aden on December 12 to seek a resolution, but no breakthrough has been announced.
Instead of withdrawing, the STC has expanded operations into neighboring Abyan province and reiterated its broader political ambitions.
Analysts warn the escalation could weaken the already fragile balance within Yemen and create openings for the Houthis, who have controlled northern Yemen, including Sanaa, for more than a decade.