Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia have completed the takeover of all military sites in the Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates from the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to Yemeni media.
Saudi airstrikes conducted last week targeted cargo and weapons in Hadramout’s capital, Mukalla. STC forces have since withdrawn from the city, and local sources told Al Jazeera Arabic that civilian life is gradually returning to normal.
The military shift comes ahead of expected peace talks in Saudi Arabia. A delegation led by STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi is scheduled to attend the forum, Reuters reported, in what could mark progress toward resolving the conflict between Yemen’s government and southern separatists.
Since early December, STC forces had held control over much of Hadramout and al-Mahra, which together represent nearly half of Yemen’s territory and border Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Yemeni Homeland Shield forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a new offensive. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the internationally recognized government’s Presidential Leadership Council, described the operation as a success in reclaiming all military and security positions.
Yemen’s government formally invited the STC to attend talks in Saudi Arabia. The STC welcomed the proposal, although the timeline and format of the dialogue remained unclear as of Friday.
Fighting resulted in the deaths of at least 80 STC fighters, with 152 wounded and 130 captured, according to an STC official.
Clashes erupted after the STC accused Saudi Arabia of bombing its forces near the Saudi border, killing seven and injuring 20. Separately, an STC military official told AFP that Saudi warplanes launched “intense” air raids on an STC camp at Barshid, west of Mukalla.
During the offensive, the STC announced a two-year transitional roadmap toward establishing an independent state and warned it would declare independence “immediately” if further attacks occurred or dialogue failed.
Hadramout Governor Salem al-Khanbashi said the government’s military operations were not a declaration of war but a “peaceful and systematic” effort to regain control of bases.
The government also accused the STC of blocking civilian travel into Aden, calling the restrictions a violation of Yemen’s constitution and of the Riyadh Agreement, which aimed to reconcile the government and separatists.
The conflict has heightened tensions within the Saudi-led military coalition formed to counter the Houthi movement, which controls northern Yemen and the capital, Sanaa. The coalition includes Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and the STC.
On Friday, Abu Dhabi announced the withdrawal of all Emirati forces from Yemen. The following day, Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for peace talks.
