Aden (South24) 

The Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with the Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Monday (January 5).  

The meeting took place within the framework of consultations regarding the latest developments in Yemen, following an unprecedented deterioration in relations between the Council and Riyadh. 

Al-Muharrami stated that the meeting was characterized by a "spirit of brotherhood and understanding," noting an exchange of views regarding the current developments in Yemen, primarily the issue of the South cause. 

He added that he discussed with the Saudi Defense Minister enhancing joint efforts to support stability, contributing to the security of Yemen and the region. 

Over the past week, Saudi Arabia launched Intense airstrikes targeting the Southern Armed Forces affiliated with the STC in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.  

These strikes resulted in dozens of casualties, coinciding with the deployment of Riyadh-backed Northern forces in Hadramout, according to sources. 

The sources indicated that the airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties in Wadi Hadramout, where photos and videos showed unidentified charred bodies in the streets, along with burned civilian vehicles on public roads.  

The raids also targeted Seiyun International Airport and the Port of Mukalla in Hadramout. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia bombarded the Al-Ghayda military axis in Al-Mahra yesterday, Sunday, where some Southern Government forces are deployed.  

The attack injured five soldiers, according to Aden Independent TV (AIC). 

The military camp was subsequently subjected to widespread looting.  

The Saudi strikes forced Southern Government Forces to withdraw from both Governorates, opening the door to chaos, security collapse, and extensive looting carried out by local citizens and gunmen who arrived with the Northern forces, as well as tribesmen from the governorates of Marib and Al-Jawf.  

Media in South Yemen described the Saudi attacks as an "aggression."  

Residents expressed their condemnation and shock at the Saudi attacks, which they termed "treacherous" against a presumed ally that fought alongside the Coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi militia.  

Field military sources suggested to South24 that the number of Saudi airstrikes over the past week in Hadramout and Al-Mahra exceeded 300.  

The number of fatalities among the Southern Government Forces reached at least 80, while the number of wounded exceeded 150, according to RT (Russia Today). 

Senior STC leaders held a funeral yesterday (Jan 4) in Aden for the Southern Armed Forces personnel killed during the "Promised Future" operation, in the presence of STC President Aidrous Al-Zubaidi.  

Al-Zubaidi praised the "sacrifices" of the Southern Government Forces in protecting the homeland. 

Citizens documented the looting of large quantities of heavy, medium, and light weapons, as well as logistical and technical equipment from Al-Rayyan International Airport and the plunder of private and public property. 

Footage also showed dozens of gunmen plundering Al-Rayan camp and the Barasheed Brigade, the primary headquarters where UAE and Southern forces were stationed as part of their counter-terrorism efforts in Hadramout.  

The Saudi-backed Governor of Hadramout, Salem Al-Khanbashi, admitted to Al-Arabiya that Al-Rayyan Airport was completely looted. 

Al-Muharrami, who is also a member of the divided Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), noted that the meeting with Bin Salman reflected a mutual desire to continue coordination for political and security stability. The visit occurred hours after the arrival of PLC member Tariq Saleh, who is backed by the UAE. 

Circulated photos of the two men with the Saudi Defense Minister, with the latter placing his hands on their shoulders, were interpreted by observers as a sign of "hegemony and containment."  

This meeting comes amid political movements following a Saudi call for a comprehensive Southern dialogue in Riyadh, an invitation the STC officially welcomed last Saturday. 

Informed sources told South24 that a third unnamed country is mediating the crisis between the STC and Saudi Arabia, with observers suggesting it might be Egypt.  

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry previously announced its communication with various regional and Yemeni parties to de-escalate.  

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Cairo on Monday and met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. 

The Egyptian presidency stated the meeting discussed developments in Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and Gaza, adding that "El-Sisi values Saudi efforts to host a comprehensive conference for Southern components to discuss the issue of the South." 

The STC had announced on Friday a "transitional period" in South Yemen for dialogue to resolve the Southern issue, to conclude with a popular referendum. 

The Council also presented a Constitutional Declaration for the State of "South Arabia," stating it would take effect on January 2, 2028, if no solution is reached during the transition. 

The final outcome of these recent developments remains unclear, especially after the definitive exit of the UAE from the country and Saudi Arabia’s continued dominance within the Coalition.  

The UAE has been a close ally of the STC, having supported and trained its forces over the past years, establishing a successful model in security and counter-terrorism.