What's happened
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized control of most of Hadramout, a resource-rich province in eastern Yemen, amid ongoing clashes with government forces. The move signals a potential shift toward Yemen's division, risking a renewed civil war. Negotiations are ongoing, but the situation remains volatile.
What's behind the headline?
The recent seizure of Hadramout by the STC represents a critical escalation in Yemen's complex conflict. This move, framed as a step toward 'liberation' and regional stability by the STC, actually heightens the risk of a renewed civil war. The region's oil resources and strategic location make it a key prize, intensifying external interests. The involvement of external actors like the UAE and Saudi Arabia underscores the geopolitical stakes. The ongoing negotiations suggest a fragile attempt at de-escalation, but the likelihood of further violence remains high. This escalation could lead to Yemen's formal division, with long-term implications for regional stability and international efforts to broker peace.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that the STC's offensive in Hadramout is a significant escalation, framing it as a move to 'restore security' but highlighting the risk of renewed civil conflict. Al Jazeera provides detailed footage of clashes and emphasizes the regional and external influences, including negotiations involving Saudi mediators. Both sources underline the volatility of the situation and the potential for further fragmentation, with the NYT noting the historical context of Yemen's divided factions and external interference shaping the current crisis.
How we got here
Yemen's civil war has persisted for over a decade, involving multiple factions including the Iran-backed Houthis in the north and the internationally recognized government in the south. The STC, supported by the UAE, aims for southern independence. Recent advances in Hadramout mark a significant escalation, threatening regional stability and complicating peace efforts.
Go deeper
- How might this escalation affect regional stability?
- What role are external powers playing in Yemen's conflict?
- Could this lead to Yemen's formal division?
More on these topics
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The Southern Transitional Council is a secessionist organization in Yemen. The 26 members of the STC include the governors of five southern governorates and two government ministers.
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.