Saudi-backed forces shift positions amid STC push in Yemen

Following weeks of escalating tensions in Yemen's eastern regions, fuelled by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) claiming control over Hadramaut and al-Mahra governorates, Saudi-backed forces appeared to be withdrawing from their usual military bases and redeploying elsewhere.

The National Shield Forces (NSF), a pro-government military faction, have shifted from their regular military bases in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, and al-Dhali to the area between al-Wadiah and al-Abr in the east.

The move placed them immediately west of Hadramaut, a region that the Southern Armed Forces, the armed wing of the Emirati-backed separatist STC group, have so far refused to vacate despite pressure from the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Yemen’s internationally recognised authority.

A WhatsApp voice recording circulated by the NSF’s head, Bashir Seif, congratulated personnel on the redeployment operation. Notably, the recording made no mention of PLC president Rashad al-Alimi, expressing appreciation only for Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry.

Local reports indicate that, following a meeting between the STC and Saudi military representatives, the two sides reached an understanding under which control of Hadramaut would be handed to the STC-aligned Hadrami Elite Forces, with the separatist group committing to withdraw its own factions.

Meanwhile, the STC would retain full authority over Aden and Socotra, while the NSF’s redeployment to areas of Hadramaut and al-Mahra near the Saudi border could be seen as part of this arrangement.

UAE-Saudi standoff

Last week, the STC described its takeover of Hadramaut as a necessary measure against corruption, smuggling, terrorism, and extremist groups, including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The group claimed it aims to restore stability and order to a governorate it views as long neglected. 

The STC’s stated political goal is to secede and re-establish an independent Southern Yemen, as it existed before the 1990 unification.

War in Yemen: Who are the Southern Transitional Council? Why are they backed by the UAE?

Read More »

The separatist group is supported and funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with several of its political leaders and military commanders having ties to Abu Dhabi.

The STC's push into eastern governorates, which sparked clashes with local Hadrami tribal groups rejecting its legitimacy - especially over control of Petrolmasila, the region’s major oil fields and production company - has created a subtle but noticeable standoff between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia has historically backed the Hadrami tribes and supports the internationally recognised PLC led by Alimi.

The ensuing tension between the two Gulf states was highlighted by unusually sharp scrutiny and criticism from Saudi Arabia’s main news outlets and prominent commentators - a rare public divergence in policy, also reflected in their differing approaches to, and support of, the warring sides in the conflict in Sudan.

Following the STC’s initial military push, Saudi Arabia temporarily closed Yemen’s airspace, a move some analysts suggest facilitated the withdrawal of its forces from bases in STC-controlled areas of Yemen, including the Presidential Palace in Aden, as well as from their annex at the Badr military base inside Aden International Airport and from Mayun Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Meanwhile, the STC in Aden has been establishing its own administrative and religious structures alongside the PLC, most recently creating the Southern Fatwa Authority, a religious-legal authority.

The move signals the group's effort to extend influence over religious legitimacy in addition to security and administration.