Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) has said it plans to hold a referendum on southern independence within two years, deepening tensions with the internationally recognised government and its Saudi backers.

“We announce the commencement of a transitional phase lasting two years, and the Council calls on the international community to sponsor dialogue between the concerned parties in the South and the North,” STC President Aidaros Alzubidi said in a televised address.

“This constitutional declaration shall be considered immediately and directly effective before that date if the call is not heeded or if the people of the South, their land, or their forces are subjected to any military attacks,” he added.

The separatists plan to call the new country South Arabia.

The announcement came as government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, launched an operation to retake parts of Hadramout, seized by the STC in December.

The conflict is widening rifts within the anti-Houthi coalition and between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two key regional powers.

Key developments

• Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, head of the STC, signalled formal intent to pursue secession.

• Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, requested Saudi-hosted talks on the “southern issue”.

• Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry welcomed the proposal and urged all factions to participate.

• The STC said its forces remain on full alert in southern Yemen.

The situation underscores growing fragmentation within Yemen and increasing divergence between Gulf allies on security and regional policy.

ℹ️ Reuters

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A flag of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) flutters on a military patrol truck, at the site of a rally by STC supporters in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Fawaz Salma
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