Saudi-Led Coalition Threatens Military Action Against Southern Transitional Council After STC Seizes Eastern Provinces

In early December the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized large parts of the eastern Yemeni governorates of Hadramout (Hadhramaut) and al-Mahra, prompting urgent responses from Riyadh and regional actors.

“Saudi defense minister urges Yemen’s STC to withdraw “peacefully” from seized provinces, Hadramout and al-Mahra”

Al Jazeera

Several sources report the STC pushed into these provinces and refused Saudi calls to withdraw.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera says Riyadh urged the separatist Southern Transitional Council to withdraw peacefully after STC forces seized large parts of those governorates.

The Straits Times, citing Reuters, reports the STC refused a Saudi request to withdraw forces and said it would remain to secure the eastern Yemeni provinces of Hadramout and Mahra.

Kurdistan24 notes the unrest followed STC forces seizing several provinces, and Mathrubhumi similarly states the STC had seized areas in the south.

The Saudi-led coalition publicly warned it would act against any Southern Transitional Council (STC) military moves in Hadramout that undermine de-escalation and vowed to protect civilians while officials outlined possible operations and transfers of authority.

Khaleej Times quoted coalition spokesman Gen. Turki al-Malki saying measures are needed to protect civilians and that the coalition would act against any STC moves that undermine de-escalation.

Al-Jazeera Net

Al Jazeera Net recounted similar warnings and outlined steps including STC withdrawals and handing camps to Shield of the Homeland units.

China Daily Asia reported that Saudi warplanes struck sites linked to the STC in Hadramout and residents reported explosions and smoke.

The STC has both rejected Saudi demands to withdraw and, in some reports, expressed a mixed posture.

Khaleej Times reported the STC 'rejected Saudi calls to withdraw forces from areas it seized,' while Al Jazeera recorded that the STC 'said it remained undeterred.'

Al-Jazeera Net reported that after accounts of Saudi airstrikes the STC affirmed its willingness to cooperate with the Arab coalition and said it was open to arrangements that preserve southern stability while maintaining Yemen's unity, indicating at least some openness to negotiation even as it holds on to seized areas.

Regional and international actors called for restraint and mediation while some governments backed Saudi and UAE efforts to de‑escalate.

Kurdistan24 reported that U.S. Senator Marco Rubio urged restraint and continued diplomacy.

France 24

Al Jazeera noted that international reactions included calls for restraint from the United States and support for Saudi and UAE de‑escalation efforts from Azerbaijan.

Al Jazeera Net recorded a UN push for de‑escalation, saying UN Yemen envoy Hans Grundberg urged de‑escalation in Hadhramaut and Al‑Mahrah and called for regional mediation.

Khaleej Times reported that Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al‑Alimi asked the coalition to intervene over alleged violations.

Observers note the episode exposes strains inside the anti-Houthi camp and differing portrayals of UAE-Saudi dynamics.

“Photo: AFP Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said any military moves by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the main southern separatist group, in the eastern province of Hadramout contrary tode-escalation effortswill be dealt with to protect civilians, the Saudi state news agency reported on Saturday”

Khaleej Times

Mathrubhumi says "Saudi strikes and advances in Yemen have deepened strains between Riyadh and the UAE," even as chinadailyasia frames the action as "joint Saudi-UAE efforts to reduce tensions" and transfer control to Saudi-backed forces.

Khaleej Times

That divergence, with some outlets describing heightened Riyadh-Abu Dhabi friction and others emphasizing coordinated intervention, highlights how source perspective (regional political lens vs. descriptive reporting of strikes) shapes the narrative of the coalition's response.