The Saudi-led coalition warned it will back Yemen's internationally recognised government with force if southern separatists do not withdraw from provinces they recently seized. Reports of Saudi air strikes in Hadramawt and rapid advances by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council have intensified tensions. The US has urged restraint while analysts warn the STC's gains have publicly embarrassed Saudi Arabia and risk further escalation. About 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters are reported massed near the border.
Saudi-Led Coalition Warns It Will Intervene If Southern Separatists Refuse To Withdraw
UAE-trained ighters from groups affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) have seized a broad swathe of Yemeni territory in recent weeks (Nabil HASAN)(Nabil HASAN/AFP/AFP)
The Saudi-led coalition said on Saturday it will back Yemen's internationally recognised government in any military confrontation with southern separatist forces unless those fighters withdraw peacefully from provinces they recently captured.
The warning followed reports of Saudi air strikes on separatist positions in Hadramawt province and came as the United States urged restraint amid a rapidly escalating confrontation.
Coalition Statement
General Turki al-Malki, the coalition spokesman, said intervention would follow if efforts to de-escalate were undermined by separatist actions. He told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that 'the coalition forces affirm that any military movements undermining these efforts will be dealt with directly and immediately to protect civilian lives.' Al-Malki reiterated the coalition's backing for Yemen's internationally recognised government and appealed to all sides to 'bear national responsibility, exercise restraint, and respond to efforts for peaceful solutions.'
Political and Military Context
Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman urged the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) via X to 'peacefully hand over' two regional governorates to the government, saying 'it's time... to let reason prevail by withdrawing from the two provinces and doing so peacefully.'
The STC said it would not be deterred after strikes attributed to Saudi Arabia hit its positions. In recent weeks the STC — which seeks to re-establish an independent South Yemen — has seized large swathes of territory in Hadramawt and Mahrah provinces, expelling rival government forces and their allies. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the reported strikes.
Domestic Mobilisation and Regional Fallout
Since the STC's advances, supporters have gathered regularly in cities such as Aden pressing the council to declare independence. Separatist-affiliated media showed footage of tribesmen waving South Yemen independence flags alongside the UAE flag during large demonstrations.
Analysts say the STC's rapid gains and public show of strength have embarrassed Saudi Arabia, a principal backer of the internationally recognised government, and raised the risk of a wider confrontation. Farea al-Muslimi of Chatham House warned the STC had crossed Riyadh's 'red lines' and that the situation could quickly deteriorate.
International Reaction
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged restraint and continued diplomacy to avoid a wider conflict. Yemen's government appealed to the Saudi-led coalition to protect civilians in Hadramawt and support its armed forces after separatists seized much of the province.
Separately, a Yemeni military official said around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters were massed near the Saudi border but had not been ordered to advance on separatist-held territory. The deployment sits on the edge of territory recently taken by the UAE-backed STC, highlighting tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over rival local allies.
What To Watch
Key developments to follow include whether the STC withdraws from the contested governorates, any confirmed civilian casualties from reported air strikes, movements or orders given to the massed Saudi-backed forces, and diplomatic efforts by Gulf partners and Washington to prevent a wider confrontation.
