Explainer – Impact of Yemen’s Southern Power Shift on Regional Stability

Yemen’s southern separatists have asserted control over significant territories, potentially reigniting a decade-long civil war and creating new uncertainties in an area crucial for sea routes. The separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), previously supported by the United Arab Emirates, now asserts authority over the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Mahra, solidifying its presence across all provinces of former South Yemen. The STC has played a crucial role in the coalition combating the Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and the densely populated northwest.