Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Yemeni government troops, backed by Saudi Arabia, have regained control of Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) after recent fighting. The STC forces withdrew from key locations like Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout, following military operations. In response to these developments, a delegation led by STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi is expected to attend peace talks in Saudi Arabia. These talks, requested by the Yemeni government, aim to resolve the conflict between the government and the separatists, which escalated after the STC seized control of the two governorates in December. The recent fighting has resulted in casualties and captured fighters on the STC side.

A delegation from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group seeking an independent state in southern Yemen, announced its dissolution in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday. The STC, backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been in conflict with Yemen's internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia. The announcement followed talks between the STC delegation and the Saudi government. However, members of the STC abroad dispute the disbanding, alleging the delegation was coerced into the decision. Communication with the delegation has been limited since their arrival in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi and Emirati governments have not responded to requests for comment.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen alleges that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) helped smuggle Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), out of Aden after he was accused of treason and expelled from Yemen's presidential council. According to the coalition, Zubaidi fled by boat to Somaliland and was then flown to Abu Dhabi via Mogadishu under UAE supervision. The STC initially claimed Zubaidi was still working from Aden. The coalition also accused Zubaidi of moving STC forces and conducted airstrikes in response. This incident highlights a growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who are allies in the war against Yemen's Houthi movement, due to infighting between the factions they support, pushing southern Yemen towards further conflict.

In January 2026, Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in southern Yemen, citing threats to its national security. This intervention led to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that controlled the region for nearly a decade, announcing its dissolution in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia now plans to host a dialogue between Yemen's main political factions to discuss the future of southern Yemen. The goal of the conference is to shape the region's future, but the long-term implications for Saudi Arabia's goals in Yemen remain to be seen. Analysts are considering whether the outcome will serve Saudi Arabia's interests in the region.

On January 10, 2026, thousands of Yemenis rallied in Aden to support the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group facing internal divisions and uncertainty. The demonstrations occurred in response to reports of the STC potentially disbanding after clashes with Saudi-backed forces. Protesters chanted slogans against Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government, advocating for an independent South Yemen. The STC's recent loss of territory in Hadramout and al-Mahra, following a Saudi-backed offensive, has heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, accused of supporting the STC. The rallies highlight the ongoing complexities of the Yemeni conflict and the separatist movement's continued desire for independence.

Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), the main southern separatist group, has reportedly decided to disband after talks in Saudi Arabia, according to STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al-Subaihi. The announcement, made on Yemeni television, stated the decision was made to preserve peace and security in the south and neighboring countries. This follows a December offensive by the STC against Yemeni government troops, which Riyadh claims was backed by the UAE. The STC had reported losing contact with its delegation in Riyadh, suggesting internal divisions. The Saudi-led coalition accused the UAE of smuggling STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi out of Saudi Arabia after he skipped the talks, highlighting a feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates of helping Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi flee Yemen after he failed to attend crisis talks in Riyadh on Wednesday. Al-Zubaidi, leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), allegedly traveled from Aden to Abu Dhabi via Somaliland and Somalia under Emirati supervision. This incident has deepened a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who were previously allies in Yemen against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia supports Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and has accused al-Zubaidi of treason for not attending the talks. Al-Zubaidi's flight undermines the STC's push for southern Yemen's secession and has prompted calls for international sanctions against him.