Yemen's Southern Transitional Council suffers heavy losses as Saudi-backed forces close in. At least 80 STC troops have been killed, along with over 150 wounded, and 130 taken captive by Saudi-led forces since the start of their operation last Friday. The clashes were largely confined to strikes that targeted military camps held by the separatists, including those in Hadramawt province.
The Saudi-backed coalition has made significant gains, retaking territory from the STC, which is backed by Abu Dhabi and has been engaged in a struggle for dominance with its Gulf ally Riyadh. The Yemeni presidency announced on Saturday that it had reclaimed Hadramawt, following an apparent retreat of the STC.
In Mahra province, neighboring authorities have switched their allegiance to Saudi Arabia's government without resistance. However, amid the chaos, suspected Al-Qaeda militants were reported to have escaped from a local detention centre in Mukalla port city. Local residents also noted sporadic clashes between forces loyal to the STC and the Saudi-backed fighters.
The conflict has been fueled by long-standing rivalries between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. A December STC offensive that took control of Hadramawt and Mahra exposed fissures in their ties, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to launch repeated air strikes and warnings. The STC was also targeted with an alleged arms shipment on Friday.
The clashes have resulted in significant casualties for both sides, with intense air strikes reported from the Saudi-backed forces. Yemen's government remains divided, consisting of various groups that share a common opposition to the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been at war with the government since 2015, backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
The Saudi-backed coalition has made significant gains, retaking territory from the STC, which is backed by Abu Dhabi and has been engaged in a struggle for dominance with its Gulf ally Riyadh. The Yemeni presidency announced on Saturday that it had reclaimed Hadramawt, following an apparent retreat of the STC.
In Mahra province, neighboring authorities have switched their allegiance to Saudi Arabia's government without resistance. However, amid the chaos, suspected Al-Qaeda militants were reported to have escaped from a local detention centre in Mukalla port city. Local residents also noted sporadic clashes between forces loyal to the STC and the Saudi-backed fighters.
The conflict has been fueled by long-standing rivalries between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. A December STC offensive that took control of Hadramawt and Mahra exposed fissures in their ties, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to launch repeated air strikes and warnings. The STC was also targeted with an alleged arms shipment on Friday.
The clashes have resulted in significant casualties for both sides, with intense air strikes reported from the Saudi-backed forces. Yemen's government remains divided, consisting of various groups that share a common opposition to the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been at war with the government since 2015, backed by a Saudi-led coalition.