Yemen risks spiralling violence as anti-Houthi rivals move towards open confrontation

Forces opposed to STC launched an operation to retake positions in Hadhramaut, risking internal bloodshed

A member of the security forces mans a checkpoint in Aden, where the internationally recognised government is based. AFP

Yemen's Hadhramaut governor, backed by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief, launched a military operation to retake positions held by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), risking internal bloodshed at a fragile moment.

Earlier on Friday, Rashad Al Alimi, the PLC's chief, assigned Salem Ahmed Saeed Al Khonbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, to assume overall command of the Nation’s Shield Forces in the province.

Four of Yemen’s eight PLC members had already denounced Mr Al Alimi's announcements, accusing him of breaching the governing agreement, which explicitly stipulates that the PLC is a collective body whose decisions are taken by consensus or by majority when consensus is not possible.

Mr Al Khonbashi, shortly after Mr Al Alimi’s statement, announced the launch of a military operation to retake positions from the STC. The move risks infighting and bloodshed after a series of events that have weakened the anti-Houthi front in the impoverished country.

"The operation is not a declaration of war, or an attempt to escalate tensions, but rather a precautionary measure," he said in a statement published by Yemen's state news agency Saba.

STC Vice President Ahmed bin Breik responded by calling for a “general mobilisation of the southern people” to confront what he described as a "coming invasion". Hours later, a spokesman for forces within the STC said "brave fighters of southern armed forces succeeded in repelling a large-scale attack".

It was not immediately clear where the attack took place or whether it resulted in casualties. The National was unable to independently verify the claims.

For his part, the spokesman of the Saudi-led coalition, Maj Gen Turki Al Maliki, announced that the "Royal Saudi Naval Forces have completed their deployment in the Arabian Sea to carry out inspection and anti-smuggling operations". The coalition has been inspecting vessels since 2015.

A convoy of armoured vehicles in Mukalla. AFP

The STC, which seeks the restoration of an independent southern state, took control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from other pro-government forces, effectively consolidating its grip over all southern governorates. It said the developments followed the failure of other pro-government factions to launch a serious campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in their northern strongholds, including the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia, which hosts senior Yemeni government and PLC figures, condemned the STC’s takeover. The kingdom has led the anti-Houthi alliance since 2015, with the UAE playing a key role in halting the advance of the Iran-backed rebels, expelling them from the south and combating extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.

Tensions took an unprecedented turn this week, marked by a Saudi strike on Emirati armoured vehicles in the southern port of Mukalla. It was followed by the UAE announcing the withdrawal of all its remaining counter-terrorism teams from the country.

"We have unfortunately faced a complete closure of all political doors and a deliberate rejection of any responsible solutions," said Mr Al Khonbashi.

However, the STC said it was not closing the door to diplomacy, while holding the PLC chief and those providing him with political cover,” foremost among them the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islah party, responsible for any repercussions arising from such moves.

Abdallah Al Alimi, an Islah party figure and PLC member, said on X on Thursday that bloodshed could only be prevented by an STC withdrawal from Hadhramaut and Al Mahra.

Southern forces played a significant role in driving Houthi fighters out of southern Yemen, particularly in Aden, Lahj and parts of Abyan, during the early years of the war between 2015 and 2018.

Those battles prevented the Houthis from consolidating control over the south after their advance from Sanaa and allowed the internationally recognised government to re-establish a foothold in Aden. The STC later emerged as a political umbrella for many of the southern forces involved in those campaigns.