Southern Transitional Council Withdraws in Central Yemen, Contradicting Statements

Forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council have begun withdrawing from several positions in Yemen’s Hadramawt plains, according to local reports, despite earlier public assurances by the council that it would maintain and reinforce its deployments in the area.

Local sources told the Qatar-linked outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that STC military convoys were seen leaving the Nahb camp in the Jil Ben Yamin area and heading toward the city of Sayun. The forces are believed to be redeploying to locations in Wadi Hadramawt, a region that has long been sensitive due to overlapping local, regional, and international interests.

The reported pullback appears to contradict an announcement made by the STC last week, in which it rejected calls from the Saudi-led coalition to withdraw and instead pledged to hold its ground. The STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, has framed its presence in Hadramawt as part of broader efforts to secure southern Yemen and counter militant threats.

Residents in areas reportedly vacated by STC forces, including Jil Ben Yamin and the coastal district of Kusir, marked the withdrawal with celebratory fireworks. Local sources described the scenes as reflecting popular approval of what some residents called the “expulsion” of UAE-backed forces from the governorate, underscoring persistent local opposition to external military influence.

Hadramawt, Yemen’s largest governorate, has remained relatively insulated from front-line fighting but is increasingly contested as regional actors maneuver for influence amid Yemen’s prolonged conflict. Control over the area carries strategic importance due to its size, population centers, and proximity to key energy infrastructure.

Neither the STC nor coalition officials have publicly confirmed the withdrawals or clarified whether the movements represent a temporary redeployment or a broader shift in strategy.