Yemen’s main southern separatist group has accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against its forces in the eastern province of Hadramout, escalating tensions after the group refused to withdraw from territory it seized earlier this month.
The Southern Transitional Council, or STC, said Saudi warplanes struck positions of its allied Hadhrami Elite Forces twice on Friday morning in the Wadi Nahb area.
Saudi Arabia has not confirmed carrying out the attacks.
Videos shared by separatist-affiliated media showed smoke rising from a desert area, and independent verification confirmed that explosions had occurred.
The STC said there were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes.
The accusations followed Saudi calls for the group to leave Hadramout and the neighboring province of al-Mahra, both of which were taken during a rapid advance in December.
The STC rejected those demands, saying it would continue securing the areas.
The reported airstrikes came a day after clashes between separatist forces and armed groups linked to a tribal leader close to Saudi Arabia.
The STC said two of its fighters were killed during the fighting in eastern Hadramout.
According to the group, Saudi airstrikes followed those clashes and targeted its forces after they regained control of contested areas.
In a statement released after the attacks, the STC described the bombardment as “surprising aerial bombardment.”
The group said its military operations were aimed at addressing security threats and cutting supply lines used by hostile forces.
It added that it remained open to coordination that would guarantee security and unity in southern Yemen.
The latest developments have highlighted strains among regional actors involved in Yemen.
The United Arab Emirates, which has previously backed the STC, said it welcomed Saudi efforts to support stability in the country.
Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have publicly emphasized cooperation, even as differences have emerged over control on the ground.
Oman, which borders al-Mahra, called for restraint and renewed political dialogue.
The United Nations has also expressed concern, warning that the advances by southern separatists risk wider escalation and further fragmentation of Yemen.
The conflict has already pushed the internationally recognized government out of large parts of the south, reshaping control over key eastern regions.