Daijiworld, Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Dec 28: Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition on Saturday warned that any military moves by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the eastern province of Hadramout undermining de-escalation efforts would be countered to protect civilians, according to the Saudi state news agency.

The statement by coalition spokesperson General Turki al-Malki came after Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, requested immediate action to safeguard civilians in Hadramout from “violations committed by armed groups affiliated with the STC.”

The UAE-backed STC recently ousted the Saudi-supported, internationally recognised government from its Aden headquarters and claimed broad control across southern Yemen. On Friday, the STC rejected a Saudi call to withdraw from territories seized earlier in December, asserting its intent to maintain control over Hadramout and Mahra provinces.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman urged the STC on X to respond to mediation efforts and resolve disputes peacefully. “It is time for the STC to respond to Saudi-Emirati mediation efforts by ending escalation, withdrawing forces from camps in the two provinces, and handing them over peacefully to local authorities,” he said.

He added, “The southern issue will remain present in any comprehensive political settlement and must be resolved through consensus, honouring commitments and building trust among all Yemenis, not through adventurism that serves only the enemy of all.”