Yemen Government Regains Strategic Territories Amid Ongoing Conflict

Government Retakes Strategic Territories

The internationally recognized government of Yemen, known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has announced the recapture of two strategic southern provinces, reversing a one-month takeover by the Southern Transitional Council (STC). In December 2025, the STC, a separatist force backed by the United Arab Emirates, seized the oil-rich provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra, located near the Saudi Arabian border, in a campaign that Riyadh described as a red line for its national security.

Saudi Arabia’s Response

Saudi Arabia, which supports the PLC, responded with a series of airstrikes against STC positions, including an attack on the port of Mukalla, targeting what it described as weapons deliveries from the UAE to the STC. The PLC and STC have long been allies in the fight against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who captured Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Recent clashes have intensified instability in the war-torn country.

Main Faction Composition

The three key groups in Yemen are: 1) the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), supported by Saudi Arabia, 2) the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the Emirates, and 3) the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran. The PLC was created in 2022 to unify various factions in the fight against the Houthis, but the alliance with the STC collapsed on January 7, 2026, when the PLC excluded STC leadership, accusing them of treason.

Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Yemen continues to suffer from one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions affected by acute malnutrition, food shortages, and infrastructure collapse. According to UNICEF, nearly 11 million children urgently need humanitarian assistance, and almost 20 million people require help, including around 4.8 million individuals displaced since 2015. The transition from deep crisis to prospects for peace remains a significant challenge for Yemen's future.