Saudi Warplanes Launch Airstrikes on Yemen’s Al-Mahrah
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the bombardment struck near the headquarters of the military axis in Ghaydah, the provincial capital. “So far, there have been no reports of casualties,” the official added.
The purpose of the strikes remains unclear. Media outlets reported they may have been triggered after Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces stationed in a Ghaydah barracks refused to vacate the site.
Background of the Conflict
Yemen’s war began in 2014 when Houthi fighters seized Sanaa and much of the north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year.
The STC, formed in 2017 with backing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has long sought autonomy for the south. Although the group joined the coalition and integrated into Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, it continues to press for independence, fueling disputes over power-sharing and resources.
Escalating Tensions
Last month, the STC seized swathes of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah—territories viewed by Riyadh as strategically vital due to their proximity to the Saudi border and concentration of Yemen’s remaining energy reserves.
On Friday, hundreds of Saudi-backed government troops launched a major offensive into Hadramout to drive out STC fighters and reassert control. That same day, the STC declared a two-year transitional administration for southern Yemen, pledging a referendum on independence once the period ends.
Shifting Alliances
The UAE Defense Ministry announced Friday it had completed the withdrawal of all Emirati forces from Yemen.
By Saturday, the Yemeni government claimed full control of Hadramout. a news agency reported STC units had pulled back from institutions in Al-Mahrah without clashes, vacating Ghaydah’s airport and presidential palace.
An STC military officer confirmed to media that fighters had been ordered to halt combat in Hadramout. However, the council has yet to issue an official statement on its retreat from Hadramout or Al-Mahrah.
Late Saturday, the STC welcomed Riyadh’s call for a southern dialogue conference, describing it as “a practical step consistent with its long-standing commitment to dialogue.”
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