Saudi Warplanes Strike STC Positions in Yemen's Hadramout Amid Escalating Tensions

Airstrikes Target Southern Transitional Council in Hadramout

Saudi warplanes conducted airstrikes on military sites affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen's southeastern, oil-rich province of Hadramout on Friday, December 26, 2025. The strikes occurred amidst heightened tensions following the STC's recent territorial gains and Saudi Arabia's calls for their withdrawal from the strategic region.

Escalation Follows STC Advances and Saudi Warnings

The airstrikes represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Tensions in the region had notably increased on December 3, 2025, when STC forces took control of Hadramout after clashes with pro-government units. The STC, which advocates for self-determination and eventual independence for southern Yemen, subsequently expanded its presence into the neighboring province of Al-Mahra.

In response to these developments, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday, December 25, 2025, describing the STC's troop deployments as an 'unjustified escalation' that undermines Yemen's interests and complicates efforts to restore stability. Riyadh had urged the STC to withdraw its forces from Hadramout and Al-Mahra. Furthermore, Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi formally requested the Saudi-led coalition to take 'necessary military measures' to protect civilians in Hadramout, accusing STC forces of 'serious humanitarian violations.'

Details of the Strikes and Unconfirmed Reports

Local security officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that 'several airstrikes targeted positions of the Elite Hadrami security units aligned with the STC.' Residents reported hearing loud explosions across the province, with videos circulating on social media showing plumes of smoke rising from targeted areas. STC-affiliated media outlets specifically reported that the airstrikes hit their forces in the Ghayl Bin Yamin area of Hadramout, while other reports mentioned strikes near Wadi Nahab.

Initial reports from a local security official indicated no casualties or damage to military equipment. However, an STC foreign affairs special representative, Amr Al Bidh, stated that the airstrikes occurred after their fighters in eastern Hadramout faced 'multiple ambushes' from gunmen, which resulted in the deaths of two STC fighters and wounded 12 others. Saudi Arabia, a key backer of Yemen's internationally recognized government, has not yet made an official comment on the airstrikes.

Broader Implications for the Yemeni Conflict

The Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen began in March 2015, aiming to restore the internationally recognized government after Houthi forces seized the capital, Sanaa. Hadramout is considered a strategically vital province due to its vast territory, significant oil resources, and its location bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials view stability in Hadramout as a 'red line,' fearing that instability could create security vacuums.

A joint Saudi-Emirati military delegation had reportedly arrived in Aden to coordinate with the STC on withdrawing its forces and transferring military camps to government-affiliated or local forces. The recent airstrikes underscore the complex and multi-faceted nature of the Yemeni conflict, involving various factions with differing objectives, even within the broader anti-Houthi alliance.