Seizure of South Yemen by UAE-backed forces could lead to independence claim

"The United Arab Emirates-backed military leadership in South Yemen has seized power across the whole of the south of the country, a move that opens up the possibility that the South will declare independence and revert Yemen to being two states for the first time since 1960. As many as 10,000 troops from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) poured into the oil-rich Hadramaut governorate last week and later into Marah, the less-populated governorate bordering Oman, which had not previously been under its control."

"Oman initially closed the border with Yemen demanding the flag of the South be taken down but has had to back off. In a stunning reverse for Saudi Arabia, which was previously the lead external actor in Yemen, Riyadh has also withdrawn its troops from the presidential palace in the southern capital, Aden, as well as from the airport, an evacuation that suggests the forces that the Saudis had backed inside the UN-recognised government have for now at least been routed."

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the United Arab Emirates, seized power across all eight governorates of South Yemen. As many as 10,000 STC troops entered the oil-rich Hadramaut governorate and later Marah, extending control to territories not previously held. Oman briefly closed its border and demanded the South's flag be removed before backing off. Saudi forces withdrew from the presidential palace in Aden and the airport, signaling a setback for Riyadh and its allies within the UN-recognised government. A full declaration of statehood would carry significant diplomatic risk, so the STC is more likely to propose a future referendum. The STC’s long-term course will depend on the UAE.

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