al-Mahra

Al-Mahra is a governorate in eastern Yemen that has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict. Recently, it was reclaimed by Yemeni government troops backed by Saudi Arabia from the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group supported by the UAE. This shift in control is newsworthy due to its impact on Yemen's fragmentation and stability. The STC's eastward expansion into al-Mahra and Hadramout in late 2025 intensified existing tensions. Saudi Arabia has been mediating to resolve the conflict between the government and the STC, urging the separatists to withdraw from seized areas. The UAE has expressed support for Saudi Arabia's efforts to stabilize Yemen. The recapture of al-Mahra and Hadramout by government forces represents a setback for the STC and a potential turning point in the conflict, although the future of a united Yemen remains uncertain, particularly with the Houthis controlling the northwest.