In a significant shift in military command structure, the head of Yemen’s Presidential Council has announced that all military forces in southern Yemen will henceforth operate under the command of the Saudi-led coalition. This decision follows a recent failed offensive by separatists who receive backing from the United Arab Emirates.
During a televised address, Rashad Al-Alimi, the leader of the Saudi-backed Presidential Council, revealed the formation of a Supreme Military Committee tasked with overseeing the training, equipping, and direction of military forces in the region. This committee is intended to unify and streamline military operations amidst the ongoing conflict.
The announcement comes on the heels of Yemeni forces, with Saudi support, successfully regaining control over large areas that were previously taken by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists. The STC had captured two key provinces in December, which adds to the complexity of the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Historically, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have united against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have maintained control over significant portions of Yemen since taking the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. However, the alliance is now strained as both countries appear to back competing factions within the internationally recognized Presidential Council, which maintains authority over much of southern Yemen.
Reports have emerged suggesting uncertainty surrounding the future of the separatist STC, with indications that its leader may have fled the country. A delegation representing the STC recently announced the dissolution of the group while in Riyadh; however, members in other regions claim that this decision was made under pressure.
Despite the turmoil, thousands of supporters rallied in the southern city of Aden on Saturday, openly defying prohibitions from pro-Saudi officials against such gatherings. Protesters waved the flag of the former independent South Yemen, which existed from 1967 until unification in 1990, and displayed portraits of STC president Aidarous Al-Zubaidi.
“This gathering shows that the people of the south, from all provinces, want an independent state,” proclaimed protester Yacoub Al-Safyani. The rally echoed a longstanding sentiment among separatists, leading to chants that voiced anti-Saudi sentiments.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government is based in Aden, even as the city remains a stronghold for the STC, highlighting the complex dynamics of power and authority within the region amidst ongoing conflicts and shifting alliances.
