Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists on Friday (December 26) accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out air strikes on their positions in the east of the country, a claim Riyadh has not acknowledged.

Ghayl bin Yamin

Yemeni separatists from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) have accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out air strikes near their positions in Wadi Nahab, southeast Yemen. The escalation follows the STC's recent territorial gains as it seeks to revive the formerly independent state of South Yemen.

Supporters of the STC gathered in Aden after the strikes, maintaining their demands for independence. While Saudi Arabia has not commented on the incident, a Yemeni official indicated that military action could be considered if talks between the kingdom and the separatists fail. The STC has stated it will not back down but remains open to dialogue.

Yemeni separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of air strikes in east provinces

Yemeni separatists are on high alert in southern cities. After strikes, the Southern Transitional Council has blamed on Saudi Arabia. These images, broadcast on the STC's television channel Friday, appear to show attacks near the group's positions in Wadi Nahab, in the country's southeast. The latest escalation since the Emirati-backed group seized large swathes of territory last month in its goal to revive the formerly independent state of South Yemen. Soon after the strikes, supporters gathered in the STC-controlled port city, Arden, undeterred in their demands. This woman says she is ready to die by a tank or missile, as long as they get their state back. The people of the south stood by the Saudi-led coalition with their blood and their youth, but today's strikes are seen as a direct threat to this population. Once united by the Iran-backed Houthis, Yemen's map now shows a fractured alliance. The internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi Arabia, clings to central strongholds and scattered territory, while the STC now claims much of the south. Riyadh has not commented on the strikes, but a Yemeni official in the capital has told local media that the kingdom may consider military action if talks with the separatists collapse. Around 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters are reportedly massed near the border. For now, the STC says it won't back down, but maintains it's still open to dialogue with Riyadh.

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