Saudi Arabia demands Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council withdraw forces from seized provinces, warning of military backing for the government amid escalating conflict
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has warned it will militarily back Yemen’s government against separatist forces and demanded they withdraw “peacefully” from recently seized provinces.
The warning follows reported Saudi air strikes on separatist positions in Yemen’s Hadramawt province. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman stated troops from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) should “peacefully hand over” two regional governorates.
“It’s time,” he posted on X, “at this sensitive moment, to let reason prevail by withdrawing from the two provinces and doing so peacefully.” General Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the Riyadh-led coalition, said they would act to protect civilian life.
The STC had warned it was undeterred after strikes blamed on Saudi Arabia hit their positions. This marks the latest escalation since the UAE-backed separatists seized large areas of Hadramawt and Mahrah provinces.
Experts say the STC’s territorial gains have embarrassed regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen’s internationally-recognised government. Farea al-Muslimi from Chatham House said the STC had crossed Riyadh’s “red lines”.
“It is one bad thing to humiliate Saudi Arabia. And it is another much worse thing to humiliate Saudi Arabia publicly. And that’s exactly what they did,” he told AFP.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged restraint and continued diplomacy. Yemen’s government has asked the Saudi-led coalition for military support in Hadramawt.
A Yemeni military official said around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters were amassed near the border but had not received orders to advance. The separatist advances have added pressure on ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which support rival groups.
The STC told AFP Saudi Arabia conducted two strikes on Friday. The UAE later welcomed Saudi efforts to support security in Yemen, as the two Gulf allies sought to present a united front.
