Separatists claim control over southern Yemen
STC expands its presence in all Southern Governorates, including Aden
STC's new control shift is a major development in Southern Yemen
STC forces face limited resistance as Saudi-backed forces withdraw
DUBAI, 8 December - Yemen's southern separatist group has claimed control of large areas of the country, including the port city Aden, which had been the base for the Saudi-backed and internationally recognised government.
The Southern Transitional Council reported that senior figures of other groups, including the leader of the eight-member group which acts as a substitute for a president and the prime Minister, had left Aden.
The STC has clashed in recent years with other groups within the Saudi-backed government that relocated to Aden in 2014 after the Iran-aligned Houthi group captured Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.
The STC has been serving in an administration since 2022 that controls southern regions outside of the Houthis' grip, as part of a Saudi-backed initiative to share power.
OPERATION PROMISING FUTURE
Amr al-Bidh, a senior STC official, said on Monday that following the military operation "Promising Future", launched last week, the group has extended its presence to all provinces in southern Yemen, including Aden.
He said in a text message that the eight southern governorates were "under the protection of Southern Armed Forces".
"We are focused on unifying our operational theatre to improve coordination and readiness in order to strengthen stability and security in southern Sudan, as well combating the Houthis if there is a desire to move in that direction."
Al-Bidh reported that Rashad al-Alimi had left Aden as well as Prime Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik. However, al-Bidh claimed the STC hadn't ordered them to leave.
Al-Bidh stated that "the institutional makeup remains unchanged".
Al-Alimi of the Presidential Council, who briefed the diplomats on Sunday in Riyadh, stated in a Monday statement that the actions taken by the STC in the south "undermines the legitimacy" of the internationally recognized government and violates power-sharing agreements.
STC's advancement marks a significant shift in control of southern Yemen. The group wants greater autonomy for southern Yemen, which was independent until 1990 when it unified with the north.
STC participated in the initiative Saudi-led to unite anti-Houthi groups under al-Alimi. Tensions persist over the control of forces and territory.
An official from the UAE said on Monday that their position on Yemen was "in line with Saudi Arabia's support for a political process", based on Gulf-backed initiative and U.N. Resolutions. The official didn't directly address STC's actions in southern Yemen.
Saudi Arabia did not respond immediately to a comment request.
Al-Bidh reported that the STC had only encountered limited resistance, as Saudi-backed troops pulled back. Hadramout, Al-Mahra and other provinces bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia are important trade and smuggling route.
Al-Bidh reported that clashes occurred in Wadi Hadramout. In Al-Mahra local forces coordinated with STC, and no clashes took place.
A senior STC official confirmed that the group had taken control of Hadramout in 48 hours after launching its operation last week. He said that Saudi forces had withdrawn from Perim Island, in the Mandeb Strait and handed control over to the STC. They also left their positions at the Aden presidential palace.
Yemen's civil conflict reached a standstill in 2022. The recent calm raised hopes for peace between the Houthis who control the majority of populated areas in north Yemen and the Saudi-backed Government in the south. Reporting by Mahal Dahan, Timour Azari and Andrew Mills. Writing by Andrew Mills and Nayera Abdallah. Editing by Peter Graff.
(source: Reuters)
