Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Saudi Arabia Urges Yemeni Separatists to Withdraw
Saudi Arabia has asked a group of separatists in Yemen, who are supported by the United Arab Emirates, to leave two areas they control.
This group, called the Southern Transitional Council, has taken over the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra.
Saudi Arabia wants them to leave so that another group, the National Shield Forces, can take over.
This is important because both groups are part of a larger team fighting against the Houthis, who are a rebel group in Yemen.
The Houthis have been fighting for control of Yemen since 2014 and have caused a lot of problems, including a big humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. has also been involved, bombing the Houthis to try to stop their attacks.
The situation is complicated because different countries and groups have different interests and alliances.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are friends but also compete with each other.
The separatists want South Yemen to become its own country again, which adds to the tension.
The war has been going on for a long time and has caused a lot of suffering for the people of Yemen.
Saudi Arabia called on Emirati-backed separatists in southern Yemen to withdraw from two governorates they control, threatening to destabilize the anti-rebel coalition.
The Southern Transitional Council moved into Hadramout and Mahra governorates, leading to mediation efforts to have them withdraw.
The Houthis buried four of their fighters, including their top missile and drone commander, killed in U.S. airstrikes.
The conflict has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine and created a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 casualties.
The U.S. has conducted bombing campaigns targeting the Houthis, including strikes using B-2 bombers, to disrupt their attacks on regional shipping.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Southern Transitional Council, Houthis, National Shield Forces, Internationally Recognized Government
- What
- Saudi Arabia urges Yemeni separatists to withdraw from two governorates, escalating tensions within the anti-rebel coalition
- When
- The statement was made on Thursday, with ongoing mediation efforts
- Where
- Yemen, specifically the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra, and the southern port city of Aden
- Why
- To avoid destabilizing security and stability in Yemen, and to maintain the coalition's efforts against the Houthis
- Conflict Parties
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Southern Transitional Council, Houthis, National Shield Forces, Internationally Recognized Government
- Governorates in Question
- Hadramout and Mahra
- Houthi Commander Killed
- Maj. Gen. Zakaria Abdullah Yahya Hajar
- War Duration
- Since 2014
- Casualties
- Over 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians
- Humanitarian Impact
- One of the globe’s worst humanitarian disasters, pushing Yemen to the brink of famine
- U.S. Involvement
- Bombing campaigns targeting the Houthis, including strikes using B-2 bombers
