Yemen's southern separatists STC refuses to withdraw from newly occupied territories despite Saudi warning
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces
Though UAE has vowed to pull out its counter-terrorism troops from Yemen amid Saudi Arabian pressure, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists have refused withdraw from recently occupied regions.
The STC said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces.
The internationally recognised government led by the Presidential Leadership Council has warned against the military advances by the separatists. Its head Rashad al-Alimi warned STC that there will be severe consequences if they move to more territories in Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces.
This comes days after the separatist forces seized control of resource-rich provinces. Following this, Saudi Arabia alleged that the UAE is backing the separatists and posing threat to Saudi border security. Riyadh carried out airstrikes on an alleged weapons shipment heading to STC from the Port of Mukalla.
However, the UAE defence ministry on December 31 refuted the accusations, saying the targeted shipment did not contain weapons. It further claimed that the shipment was intended for UAE forces operating in Yemen.
"The UAE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its full respect for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national security, and its rejection of any actions that could threaten the security of the Kingdom or the wider region," read the statement.