Aden (South24)

The period between March 21 and April 3, 2026 witnessed a series of security, military, and political developments across South Yemen, marked by renewed Houthi escalation on the fronts of Al-Dhalea and Shabwa, large-scale popular mobilization in Aden, and parallel tensions in Hadramout. These developments unfolded against a backdrop of growing strain between Saudi-backed actors and the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

On the ground, four Southern soldiers were killed, including personnel from the Shabwa Defense Forces, in Houthi attacks targeting the fronts of Al-Dhalea and Shabwa. The incidents reflect a continued escalation along active front lines in recent weeks.

This escalation coincided with the group’s announcement on March 28 that it had entered a broader military phase linked to regional tensions, including the launch of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel.

In Aden, thousands of STC supporters managed to reopen several of the Council’s headquarters in Al-Tawahi district, which had remained closed since late January. This came despite extensive security measures aimed at preventing the gathering.

In parallel, the Saudi Special Committee summoned Mohsen Obaid, rapporteur of the STC Presidency, who is currently in Riyadh as part of the Southern delegation, for several hours. The move followed statements in which he referred to the continued detention of the Southern delegation and its inability to return to Aden, amid what he described as the absence of any serious prospects for Saudi-sponsored intra-Southern dialogue.

In Hadramout, protesters on Wednesday, April 1 disrupted a pro-Saudi solidarity event organized by local authorities and pro-Riyadh figures in Mukalla. Protesters stormed the venue, removed Saudi flags, and replaced them with the flag of the former South Yemen state. Some also burned images of Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi.

On Thursday, local authorities announced the arrest of a number of individuals involved in storming the event site and ordered tightened security measures to prevent a planned demonstration called for by the STC in Mukalla.

The governorate also witnessed controversy following a decision by Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi to dismiss hundreds of soldiers from the Barasheed Brigade, a unit that played a key role in counterterrorism operations against AQAP in 2016. The decision included terminating the service and salaries of around 1,000 soldiers from Aden, Al-Dhalea, and Lahj.

This coincided with a visit by Yemeni Defense Minister Taher Al-Uqaili, who hails from Amran governorate, an area under Houthi control. Southern observers described the move as regionally motivated and indicative of an exclusionary policy, while supporters argued it aligns with local Hadrami demands.

Other developments included various security measures, such as intensified deployments in Aden, operations intercepting the smuggling of irregular migrants along coastal areas, and appointment decisions issued by Saudi-backed authorities within certain security institutions.

In Lahj, two people were killed and four others were injured on Friday in an exchange of gunfire in the city of Al-Habilayn, north of the governorate, following a personal dispute.

Browse all events from the past two weeks on the interactive map below: