Yemen Separatists Push for Independence Following Territorial Gains

Yemen’s separatists are intensifying their push for independence following significant territorial gains in December 2023. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) spokesperson, Anwar Al-Tamimi, stated that the group is more determined than ever to establish a new state, although he emphasized that secession will depend on favorable conditions.

The STC’s rapid advances over the past month have intensified the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has been marred by a civil war since the Saudi-led coalition intervened against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 2015. The Houthi forces had previously ousted the internationally recognized government from the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Despite facing air strikes aimed at their positions and repeated calls from Saudi Arabia for a withdrawal, the STC asserts that it will maintain control over the territories it has recently captured.

Anwar Al-Tamimi highlighted the psychological and emotional impact of the recent successes on the southern population: “What happened recently has made southerners more determined to restore the state,” he told reporters in an interview in Abu Dhabi. He further noted that the timing of any potential secession would depend on “the appropriate historical, international, and regional moment.”

The recent territorial gains have also put Saudi Arabia in a difficult position. As the primary supporter of the Yemeni government, Riyadh has expressed its displeasure with the STC’s actions. The coalition has called for the STC to relinquish control of areas close to its southern borders, even launching air strikes against STC positions. In a recent development, the Saudi-led coalition targeted a shipment of arms allegedly sent from the United Arab Emirates to an STC-controlled port, demanding that the Emiratis withdraw their forces from Yemen within 24 hours, which they agreed to do.

The STC, which is backed by the UAE, is a coalition of various groups that aims to revive the former state of South Yemen, which existed from 1967 until its unification with North Yemen in 1990. Following their swift military campaign in early December, the STC now controls nearly all of the former territory of South Yemen, positioning itself as the most dominant faction in Yemen’s fragmented political landscape.

The situation continues to evolve, with the STC preparing for the possibility of declaring independence when they deem the circumstances right. This determination adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught conflict, as various factions vie for power in a country that has endured years of strife.