Yemen’s southern transitional council dissolves amid rising unrest

Yemen’s powerful Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist body that has long sought independence for the country’s south, announced its dissolution on Friday amid escalating unrest and mounting regional pressure.

The announcement was made by the council’s Secretary General, Abdulrahman Jalal al-Sebaihi , in a televised address broadcast on Yemen TV. He said all STC institutions would be dismantled with immediate effect, marking a dramatic turn for the UAE-backed faction that has played a central role in Yemen’s fractured political landscape.

The decision came just a day after the group’s leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi , fled Yemen by boat to Somalia before being flown to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Yemeni authorities have since accused al-Zubaidi of treason.

Formed in 2017, the STC represents southern Yemeni factions that oppose the internationally recognised government and seek to revive the former state of South Yemen, which existed until unification in 1990. The council has maintained its own armed forces and administrative structures, effectively governing parts of southern Yemen, including Aden, at various points.

The Southern Transitional Council has long enjoyed strong backing from the United Arab Emirates, a relationship that placed it at odds with Saudi Arabia, which leads the coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its fight against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

Tensions surged in recent weeks after STC fighters advanced into the eastern governorates of Hadramout and al-Mahra, areas traditionally outside the group’s core strongholds. The moves were widely seen as a step toward unilateral secession, triggering alarm in Riyadh and sharp friction with Saudi-backed forces.

As unrest spread and diplomatic pressure intensified, the STC found itself increasingly isolated. The flight of al-Zubaidi, combined with accusations of betrayal and fears of a broader regional confrontation, appears to have forced the council’s leadership into retreat.

In his address, al-Sebaihi cited the need to prevent further bloodshed and instability, though he did not rule out political reorganisation in the future.

While the formal dissolution of the STC marks a setback for the southern secessionist movement, analysts caution that it does not end southern grievances or demands for autonomy. Many of the council’s fighters remain active on the ground, and its support base in southern Yemen remains significant.

The immediate future is likely to see efforts to reintegrate former STC elements into broader political talks, possibly under Saudi-led mediation. However, the collapse of the council also raises concerns about a security vacuum in parts of southern Yemen, potentially opening space for renewed conflict or extremist groups.