Yemen’s main southern separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has decided to disband, a member said. The announcement came during peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The decision follows a split within the group and tensions with Gulf powers.
The UAE-backed STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled Yemen on Wednesday instead of attending the talks. The Saudi-led coalition said UAE officers helped him escape on a flight that landed in Abu Dhabi. His absence highlighted divisions within the separatist movement.
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Saudi Arabia has demanded that STC withdraw its forces from provinces it recently seized near the Saudi border. The STC’s advances had angered Riyadh and worsened the ongoing crisis between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen.
A member of the delegation read a statement on Saudi state TV, confirming the group’s disbandment. STC members not attending the Riyadh talks have not commented, suggesting the group may continue to face internal fractures.
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Analysts say the disbandment may open the door for renewed negotiations to stabilize southern Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition continues to push for unified control, while regional powers remain involved in shaping Yemen’s political landscape.