Yemen’s Saudi-backed government retakes southern areas from STC: What next?
PLC takes control of southern Yemen, but challenges for a united Yemen remain amid Houthi control of Sanaa.

PLC takes control of southern Yemen, but challenges for a united Yemen remain amid Houthi control of Sanaa.





![People attend a rally organised by Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), in Aden, Yemen December 21, 2025. [Fawaz Salman/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-12-21T170029Z_353325091_RC22LIACEYLH_RTRMADP_3_YEMEN-SECURTY_cropped-1767985630.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)



Fermin Lopez and Raphinha star for Barca as Yamal comes on as a late sub in the Supercopa semifinal in Jeddah.
Secessionist leader took a boat to Berbera and then boarded plane that flew to Abu Dhabi via Mogadishu, coalition says.

Yemeni secessionist leader didn’t attend scheduled peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Coalition targets secessionist forces after Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled hours before he was due for talks in Riyadh.
The forum, which comes after government forces retook two governorates, could help end the conflict with separatists.

Video shows Saudi-backed forces advancing towards the Yemeni city of Mukalla, seizing new areas in Hadramout.
Saudi Foreign Ministry calls on Yemen’s southern factions to participate in a forum in Riyadh amid rising casualties.
![Saudi-backed forces mobilise in Yemen's Hadramout province amid an offensive against the STC. [Rjubari via X]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yemen_Hadramout_Saudi_UAE_STC_forces_2_jan_2026-1767378331.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
Saudi Arabia bombed separatist STC positions in Yemen amid a push to take back control from the UAE-backed group.