What's happened
Supporters of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) protested in Aden, demanding independence after the group announced its dissolution following a Saudi-led military intervention. The protests highlight ongoing regional tensions, internal divisions within the separatist movement, and the fragile state of Yemen's civil conflict amid shifting alliances and regional pressures.
What's behind the headline?
The recent collapse of the STC marks a pivotal moment in Yemen's complex civil conflict. The group's dissolution, driven by regional pressure and military setbacks, exposes the fragility of separatist ambitions amid competing regional interests. Saudi Arabia's intervention aimed to reassert control and stabilize the south, but internal divisions and external influences from the UAE have complicated efforts. The protests in Aden underscore persistent local support for independence, yet the group's disbandment signals a potential shift toward more centralized control by the recognized government or further regional negotiations. The regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is likely to intensify, influencing future peace efforts. The broader humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine and malnutrition, remains a critical backdrop, emphasizing that Yemen's internal conflicts are intertwined with regional geopolitics and humanitarian concerns. The next steps will involve regional diplomacy, possibly in Riyadh, and efforts to address Yemen's dire humanitarian needs, but the path to stability remains uncertain.
What the papers say
AP News reports detail the recent protests and the official dissolution of the STC, highlighting the internal divisions and regional pressures. Al Jazeera emphasizes the regional rivalry, noting the UAE-backed support for the STC and the Saudi-led coalition's military response. The New Arab provides insight into the internal dissent within the separatist movement and the implications of the leader's flight to the UAE. These contrasting perspectives underscore the complex regional dynamics and the fragile state of Yemen's peace process, with regional powers vying for influence amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.
How we got here
The STC was established in 2017 to push for an independent South Yemen, supported by the UAE. It gained territorial control in late 2022 but faced setbacks after a Saudi-led coalition launched a military counter-offensive in December 2025. The group’s internal divisions and regional rivalries, especially between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have significantly influenced its trajectory amid Yemen's ongoing civil war, which began in 2014 with the Houthi rebellion and regional intervention.
Go deeper
Common question
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More on these topics
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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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.
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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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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Aden is a city, and since 2015, the temporary capital of Yemen, near the eastern approach to the Red Sea, some 170 km east of the strait Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000 people.