Saudi Demands STC Withdrawal After Yemen Seizures

Saudi Arabia Demands STC Withdrawal After Yemen Seizures

Saudi Arabia condemned the STC's December seizures of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, where oil facilities, government buildings, border crossings, and the Aden presidential palace were seized, and urged the groups to withdraw to their prior positions while resuming talks under international mediation. Mediation efforts led by a Saudi-UAE delegation, which visited Aden on December 12, aim to hand over camps to the National Shield Forces and restore the coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government, signaling cautious progress amid stalled diplomacy. Analysts warn the escalation risks unraveling the fragile truce and could benefit the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control the north, by complicating regional stability and the coalition's bargaining leverage.

Background & Context

Since 2015 Yemen has been torn by a civil war between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government. The conflict has drawn regional rivals into a broader contest, with the Iran-aligned Houthis facing a Saudi- and UAE-backed coalition and, within that framework, the STC operates under the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), reflecting a complex web of alliances and rivalries that shape the war’s trajectory.
In December 2025 the STC seized control of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, two key oil-producing provinces, along with government buildings, border crossings, and the Aden presidential palace, signaling a sharp escalation within the coalition and raising questions about energy security and governance.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE sent a joint delegation to Aden on December 12 to pursue a settlement, but as of December 25, 2025 negotiations had not yielded a breakthrough, underscoring persistent intra-alliance fractures even as regional mediators seek de-escalation.
The Houthis, Iran-aligned, hold much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, while the PLC frames the government’s authority and coordinates international support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE; important actors also include the National Shield Forces and other STC-aligned units.
Public reaction has been limited in available commentary; regional actors condemned the STC seizures and urged a return to stability to avoid wider disruption of security and trade in the Red Sea region.
Overall, the developments highlight how Yemen’s conflict intersects with broader regional dynamics and energy security, reminding observers that a renewed military conflict could have implications for regional stability and for international efforts to broker a durable settlement.

Key Developments & Timeline

Early December 2025: The Southern Transitional Council (STC) seizes Hadramout and Al-Mahra governorates, taking control of oil facilities, government buildings, border crossings, and the Aden presidential palace. The move marks a significant shift in southern Yemen's governance. The seizure is linked to the STC's backing from the United Arab Emirates and its role within the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) coalition that supports Yemen's government against the Houthis. In addition to territorial gains, the operation highlights the strategic importance of energy assets in the region and raises concerns about the stability of local administration. Regional mediation efforts soon focus on de-escalation and future alignment with PLC-proposed structures, including potential steps to regularize security camps under the National Shield Forces.
December 12, 2025: A joint Saudi and UAE delegation travels to Aden to negotiate a resolution. The talks are aimed at cooling tensions and arranging a handover framework for camps to the National Shield Forces as part of the PLC coalition’s approach. As of this report, no breakthrough has been announced, and mediators are signaling that progress may be incremental, requiring concessions on security arrangements and the pace of withdrawal from seized facilities. The visit underscores the involvement of key regional actors in seeking to manage the crisis, while the focus remains on restoring a stable governance pattern for southern Yemen and maintaining a check on Houthi incursions from the north.
December 25, 2025: The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemns the seizures as an unjustified escalation and calls for a withdrawal to previous positions; mediation efforts continue. The developments prompt international observers and local stakeholders to reassess the fragility of Yemen's truce, with analysts warning that the escalation could inadvertently benefit the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control northern Yemen including Sanaa. The sequence of events places Yemen at a critical juncture, emphasizing the intertwined security, energy, and diplomatic dimensions shaping regional stability in the coming weeks.

Official Statements & Analysis

Saudi Arabia condemned the Southern Transitional Council's December seizures of Hadramout and Al-Mahra as an "unjustified escalation", urging the group to "handover the camps" in an "urgent and orderly manner" to preserve the mediation process in Yemen. A joint Saudi-UAE delegation visited Aden on December 12 to broker a resolution, but no breakthrough had been reported by December 25, 2025. The move centers on control of oil facilities, border crossings, and political centers including the Aden presidential palace, reflecting Riyadh and Abu Dhabi's effort to sustain the Saudi-backed PLC coalition against the Houthis.

Analysts warn this is a "Critical and existential juncture" for the fragile truce, with potential ripple effects on security near oil infrastructure and major ports in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, and on humanitarian corridors. If the handover stalls, travelers and workers face higher risk and supply chains could be disrupted, complicating regional deterrence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The development also has implications for regional alliances, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE seek to balance Iranian influence while supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, with analysts noting the escalation could benefit the Iran-aligned Houthis who control north Yemen, including Sanaa.

Conclusion

Amid ongoing mediation led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the recent standoff over Hadramout and Al-Mahra highlights how the fragile truce remains and how regional dynamics can influence access to oil facilities, border crossings, and humanitarian corridors in southern Yemen. The main takeaway is that a negotiated settlement remains essential to prevent further escalation, stabilize security near critical infrastructure, and preserve the legitimate government’s role, while acknowledging that any delay or breakdown could tilt the balance in favor of the Iran-aligned Houthis. Looking ahead, the outlook ranges from de-escalation to a renewed stalemate or potential escalatory moves; sustained diplomacy, monitoring of disarmament gestures, and commitments to protect civilians will be key to shaping future operations in the Red Sea region. Stakeholders should prioritize humanitarian access, transparent governance, and regional security assurances to maintain stability and support long-term development in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, while the international community monitors compliance and coordinates responses to any disruption.

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