Saudi Arabia, a key supporter of Yemen’s internationally-recognized government, reportedly launched air strikes against separatist positions in Hadramawt, as confirmed by local media and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). The strikes occurred on a Friday, just a day after Saudi officials urged the separatists to withdraw from Hadramawt and Mahra provinces, which they had captured earlier this month.
So far, there have been no immediate reports of casualties from the air strikes. The recent advances by separatist forces have intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which support rival factions within Yemen’s fragmented government. The government is comprised of various groups, including the separatists themselves, united primarily by their mutual opposition to the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
According to the separatist-affiliated Aden Independent Channel, the Saudi Air Force targeted positions of the Hadrami Elite Forces in Wadi Nahb, a group within the separatist faction. However, Saudi officials have yet to confirm the details of the operation.
The STC further elaborated, stating that Saudi Arabia conducted two strikes in the area. This military action comes on the heels of STC’s recent success in expelling other government forces and their allies from significant territories, reigniting concerns over potential instability in the region. The STC has been advocating for the restoration of the formerly independent state of South Yemen, a move that further complicates the already fragile political landscape in the country.
