Yemeni province launches operation to take bases back from separatist STC

Saudi-backed Hadramout governor says move under way to ‘peacefully’ take over military sites from STC.Published On 2 Jan 2026|Updated: 2 minutes agoFighting broke out on Friday in Yemen’s Hadramout province that borders Saudi Arabia, between forces loyal to region’s Saudi-backed governor and the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC).The STC accused Saudi Arabia of bombing its forces near the border. But Hadramout’s governor Salem al-Khanbashi said on Friday that the efforts to take back bases from the STC were meant to “peacefully and systematically” reclaim military sites in Yemen’s southern province.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What led to Saudi Arabia’s strike on Yemen?list 2 of 3Saudi-UAE fallout and its impact on Yemen’s recognised governmentlist 3 of 3What is behind the Saudi-UAE rupture in Yemen?end of list“The operation is not a declaration of war or an escalation, but rather a precautionary measure to protect security and prevent chaos,” he said in a statement.Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Al Attab, reporting from Sanaa, said fighting was reported to be taking place on Friday in positions where STC forces are located along the Saudi border.But, he added, “we are still waiting for confirmation about what is going on there,” saying that the latest information available from the area suggested the STC had maintained control of its positions.The outbreak in fighting comes after Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said it ‍had appointed al-Khanbashi to take overall command of the National Shield forces in the eastern province, granting him full military, security and administrative authority in what it said was a move to restore security and order.Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognised Yemeni government that it backs have accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the STC and pushing it to seize parts of the Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces in southern Yemen last month. Riyadh has warned that it views the STC’s growing presence in these provinces — which border Saudi Arabia — as a threat to its national security. The UAE has rejected these allegations and said that it is committed to Saudi Arabia’s security.