Saudi warplanes have conducted airstrikes against UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, particularly following the Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) recent territorial advances in Hadramout and Mahra. The Saudi ambassador accused the STC of obstructing mediation efforts, while the STC’s leadership, claiming a refusal to withdraw from seized positions, has led to increased military actions. The Saudi-led coalition is demanding the withdrawal of STC forces as part of de-escalation efforts, which have so far been met with resistance. This conflict underscores the complexities of Yemen’s civil war, where varying interests complicate alliances, particularly as the STC seeks autonomy reminiscent of South Yemen’s pre-unification era.