Saudi Warplanes Strike UAE-Backed Separatists in Hadramout, Kill Seven

Saudi-led warplanes struck positions held by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout province.

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Al Jazeera

STC officials reported that the strikes hit camps including Al-Khasah and killed seven people while wounding more than 20.

Al Jazeera

The operation followed a broader STC advance into Hadramout and neighboring Al Mahra that had alarmed Riyadh and prompted a government operation to retake seized sites.

The strikes follow a recent STC offensive that seized large parts of southern Yemen.

That offensive included Hadramout and Al Mahra and prompted a Saudi-backed response described by Riyadh and its local allies as a campaign to retake military sites and remove weapons.

Al Jazeera

Saudi-appointed Hadramout governor Salem al-Khanbashi announced a 'peaceful' operation to reclaim positions and was named to lead new National Shield/Homeland Shield forces.

Pro-government units advanced on camps the STC had taken.

Casualty figures and details about the strikes vary across reports.

“Saudi warplanes reportedly struck forces in southern Yemen on Friday supporting the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist leader said, as a Saudi-led operation seeks to retake STC camps in Hadramout governorate bordering Saudi Arabia”

AP News

STC and local separatist sources repeatedly cited seven dead and dozens wounded at the Al-Khasah camp.

Multiple outlets note that independent verification is limited; AP explicitly says some claims could not be independently verified, while other outlets repeat the STC figures as reported.

Abu Dhabi announced an end to its counter-terrorism mission in Yemen.

The UAE framed the move as a voluntary withdrawal after a review cited new risks to the safety and effectiveness of its forces.

Azerbaycan24

Saudi and government-aligned sources say the pullback occurred amid pressure and diplomatic rifts following the strikes and allegations about weapons shipments.

Analysts and regional reports warn the escalation deepens a Saudi–UAE rift and undermines the anti‑Houthi coalition.

“Yemen's future hangs in the balance after a dramatic turn of events in the south which have brought Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates into unprecedented direct confrontation and threaten the country with partition”

BBC

Outlets note the STC's advance risks reviving calls for southern independence.

BBC

The split weakens coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis.

Commentators see broader strategic implications for control of southern ports and oil-rich provinces.