By Admin 
The long ongoing conflict in Yemen has once again taken a violent turn. The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition on Friday (January 2, 2026) targeted UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions with air strikes. At least 20 separatist fighters have been confirmed killed in these attacks. This action has taken place at a time when the United Arab Emirates had recently announced the end of its military presence in Yemen.
According to the AFP report, the air strikes were carried out on military bases located in Seiyoun and Al-Khasha areas of Hadramaut province. A military base and an airport were also targeted in the attacks, bringing air activity in the area to a halt. There was no movement of any aircraft for several hours, due to which an atmosphere of fear was created among the common citizens. Officials associated with the Southern Transitional Council said that all those killed were their fighters, who were deployed at these military bases. This is the first time that STC positions have been directly targeted in recent months.
UAE’s withdrawal and increasing tension
Before these air strikes, UAE had announced that it had also withdrawn its last military contingent from Yemen. Abu Dhabi made it clear that it wants to reduce tension in the region. However, before this, controversy had also arisen regarding the attack on Mukalla port, where arms consignment was allegedly targeted. UAE rejected these allegations and said that it was only a consignment of vehicles.
STC’s allegation and Saudi side’s reply
Leaders of the Southern Transitional Council have accused Saudi-backed forces of breaking trust. He says that it was said that the military bases would be taken under control peacefully, but air strikes were carried out immediately after this. An STC spokesperson described it as a fight for survival and said that they are fighting against fundamentalism.
At the same time, the Saudi-backed administration of Hadramaut province says that this campaign is not against any political or social group, but its purpose is to capture military bases. Saudi military sources have warned that if STC does not withdraw its fighters, the attacks may continue.
Decades old conflict and regional politics
The civil war going on in Yemen is almost a decade old. In this conflict, Saudi Arabia and UAE, despite being part of the same alliance, have been supporting different local groups. Iran-backed Houthi rebels are still in a strong position in northern Yemen, while the fight for power continues in the south and eastern areas.
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