At Least 80 Separatists Killed as Saudi-Backed Forces Retake South Yemen Cities
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Yemen: Saudi-Backed Forces Retake Key Provinces From UAE-Backed STC
Is Saudi Arabia defending Yemen's unity, or is it undermining peace by attacking former allies seeking self-determination?
Above: Pro-government tribal forces take control of several military sites belonging to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the city of Mukalla, Hadramawt province, Yemen, on Jan. 3, 2026. Image credit: Stringer/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Saudi Arabia's military action against the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council represents a necessary defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The UAE's maritime empire strategy of backing separatist movements threatens regional stability and Saudi national security, particularly along its border with Yemen. Riyadh's commitment to a unified Yemen stands in stark contrast to Abu Dhabi's preference for fragmented states that serve narrow economic interests.
Narrative B
The Saudi-led offensive against southern forces has killed at least 80 fighters and wounded over 150 more, exposing Riyadh's willingness to use overwhelming military force against former coalition partners. Saudi air strikes on camps in Hadramawt represent an escalation that undermines dialogue and threatens to fracture the anti-Houthi coalition entirely. The kingdom's aggressive posture ignores legitimate southern grievances and the aspirations of millions seeking self-determination.