Yemen Deploys Forces to Oust UAE-Backed Separatists in Hadhramaut

The Yemeni government said it sent armed forces into the southern province of Hadhramaut to reclaim territory held by the Southern Transitional Council, a separatist group backed by the United Arab Emirates. The Southern Transitional Council has seized parts of Yemen in recent weeks and seeks to create an independent state.

An armed group allied with the separatists said it was now at "war" with the internationally recognized Yemeni government in the province. The Saudi-led coalition joined the operations at the request of Yemen’s government, the deputy information minister, Mohammed Qizan, said. The Saudi government and the coalition did not immediately respond to questions about their involvement; the Emirates did not comment on the operation.

For weeks Saudi Arabia had urged the separatists to withdraw. On Tuesday a Saudi-led airstrike targeted a shipment coming into Yemen from the United Arab Emirates; Saudi officials said it contained weapons for the separatists, a claim the Emirati government denied. After the strike the UAE said it was withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen.

Key Topics

World, Hadhramaut, Southern Transitional Council, Yemeni Government, Saudi-led Coalition, United Arab Emirates