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Saudi-Backed Forces Retake Key Yemeni City After STC Withdrawal Under Threat

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have retaken full control of Seiyun, the second-largest city in Hadramout province, after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) withdrew its forces from the airport and key institutions. The STC commander stated the pullback was temporary and followed Saudi warnings of airstrikes, aiming to prevent damage near residential areas. This development is part of a larger Saudi-supported military operation to expel STC forces from the oil-rich region, which has already resulted in heavy casualties from intensified airstrikes. The event underscores the ongoing power struggle within the anti-Houthi coalition, as the STC continues to push for southern sovereignty despite being part of Yemen's unity government.

Key Points: Yemen Government Retakes Seiyun from STC After Saudi Warning

  • STC withdrew after Saudi warnings
  • Takeover occurred without armed clashes
  • Fighting intensifies in other parts of Hadramout
  • Conflict rooted in north-south divide
3 min read

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces retake Seiyun city from STC

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces regain control of Seiyun city and airport after STC withdrawal under Saudi threat of airstrikes, amid ongoing power struggle.

"Our military units are now in full control of the city and all its state institutions, and there has been no fighting on the ground. - Yemeni government official"

Aden, Jan 3

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces on Saturday retook Seiyun, the second-largest city in Yemen's southeastern oil-rich province of Hadramout, about a month after it was seized by the Southern Transitional Council, according to a government military source and local residents.

The local government official, speaking to Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity, said government troops entered the city and secured full control following the withdrawal of STC forces from Seiyun's airport and other key state institutions.

The official noted that the takeover occurred without armed confrontations, stressing that the withdrawal of the STC forces was carried out peacefully.

"Our military units are now in full control of the city and all its state institutions, and there has been no fighting on the ground," the official said.

Local residents confirmed that government forces were deployed across major streets and government facilities, while security conditions in the city remained stable.

In a related development, Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, who is based in Riyadh, announced that government forces had taken control of the entire city of Seiyun, including the international airport and key state institutions, reported the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel.

Meanwhile, an on-ground field commander from the STC forces told Xinhua that their units had withdrawn from Seiyun International Airport and the government compound after receiving warnings from Saudi Arabia, threatening airstrikes if they did not pull back.

The STC commander said the withdrawal was temporary and aimed at preventing damage, noting that residential neighborhoods are located close to the airport. He added that "STC forces reserve the right to resume military operations at a later stage."

On Friday, hundreds of Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops advanced toward Hadramout in a large-scale military operation aimed at expelling forces loyal to the STC and reasserting government control over the strategic region.

Saudi warplanes intensified airstrikes on multiple locations across the province in support of the advancing government forces. The escalation resulted in heavy casualties, with more than 20 people killed and dozens of others injured, according to local sources.

Clashes between the two sides have continued to intensify in other areas, with fighting still ongoing as both government forces and the STC seek to expand their influence in Hadramout.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces captured Sanaa and large swathes of the north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015.

Formed in 2017, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-sponsored STC seeks self-determination and eventual independence for southern Yemen. Despite joining the Saudi-led coalition and integrating into Yemen's ruling Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the group continues to push for southern sovereignty, leading to recurring disputes over power-sharing and control of resources.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The article mentions over 20 killed in airstrikes just in this escalation. My heart goes out to the families. It's been nearly a decade of war. When will the regional powers prioritize a lasting political solution over military maneuvers? The human cost is unbearable.
A
Arjun K
Interesting to see the UAE-sponsored STC and Saudi-backed government forces clashing, even though they are supposedly in the same coalition. Shows how complex Middle Eastern geopolitics is. For India, stability in the region is crucial for energy security and the safety of our diaspora there.
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Sarah B
The STC commander says the withdrawal is "temporary." This doesn't sound like a resolution, just a pause. The cycle of capture and recapture will continue until the root political grievances are addressed. The international community needs to push harder for dialogue.
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Vikram M
Hadramout is oil-rich. No surprise there's a fight for control. Reminds us how resource conflicts devastate nations. Hope peace returns soon, for the sake of the Yemeni people. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of disputes. 🙏
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Karthik V
With respect, I have to criticize the framing a bit. The article calls them "Saudi-backed" forces, which is accurate, but it downplays the role of the UAE backing the STC. It's a conflict fueled by rivalry between two Gulf powers. The Yemeni government seems to have little agency of its own.

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