The Southern Transitional Council (STC), Yemen’s main separatist group in the south, has claimed sweeping control over the country’s southern regions, including the strategic port city of Aden, the seat of the internationally recognized government. This marks a significant shift in power in southern Yemen amid the ongoing civil conflict.

“We are concentrating on unifying the operational theatre of our armed forces to enhance coordination and readiness to reinforce stability and security in the south,” said Amr al-Bidh, a senior STC official, in a statement to Reuters.

STC Military Advances

The STC launched a military campaign codenamed “Promising Future” last week, extending its presence across all eight southern governorates. According to al-Bidh, the Southern Armed Forces now “protect” the entire region, and the STC is prepared to confront the Houthi rebels if necessary.

The group’s advance has prompted senior officials from other factions in Aden, including members of the eight-person presidential body and the prime minister, to leave the city.

Historical Context

The Southern Transitional Council seeks increased autonomy for southern Yemen, which was a separate state prior to unification with the north in 1990. Since the start of Yemen’s civil war in 2014, the STC has occasionally clashed with the Saudi-backed government, which relocated to Aden after the Iran-aligned Houthis captured Sanaa.

Since 2022, the STC has participated in a Saudi-backed power-sharing administration controlling southern areas outside Houthi control, though tensions with other factions have persisted.

Regional Reactions

• Saudi Arabia: No immediate comment on the STC’s southern advances.
• United Arab Emirates: A UAE official confirmed support for a political process based on Gulf-led initiatives and UN resolutions but did not directly address STC actions in southern Yemen.
• International Diplomacy: Presidential Council head Rashad al-Alimi criticized the STC’s moves, stating they “undermine the legitimacy of the internationally recognized government” and breach power-sharing agreements.

Implications

The STC’s consolidation of southern Yemen represents a major geopolitical shift in a region already fractured by civil war, Houthi insurgency, and foreign involvement. Control of Aden, a key port and economic hub, strengthens the STC’s bargaining power in any future negotiations and could complicate efforts to maintain stability under the Saudi-backed government.

The STC’s actions underscore ongoing challenges in Yemen, where factional rivalries, foreign influence, and internal power struggles continue to shape the conflict landscape. Analysts warn that further escalation could impact humanitarian conditions and regional security, particularly if clashes with Houthi forces resume.