Jemen
On January 2, 2026, Yemen's UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced a constitution for an independent southern state called the "State of South Arabia," reviving the territory of the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The constitution would be in effect for two years, after which a referendum will determine the south’s final status.
This move escalates tensions in Yemen's civil conflict, pitting STC separatists against the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with airstrikes against STC positions in Hadramout province, where separatists had seized camps and refused to withdraw.
The UAE, in response to the growing conflict and in line with a prior commitment, announced a full withdrawal of its troops from Yemen, citing a policy of de-escalation and regional stability. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia accused the STC of obstructing diplomatic efforts and rejected their occupation of southern governorates. As both Gulf partners diverge in their Yemen strategy—Saudi Arabia prioritizing unity and the UAE backing southern autonomy—the coalition once united against the Houthis appears increasingly fractured, threatening to deepen instability in the country.
The STC's announcement of a constitution for an independent south marks a significant development in Yemen's ongoing conflict, with potential implications for regional alliances and the humanitarian situation.
