South24 | (Jan 23 – Feb 6)

The military and security landscape in South Yemen and parts of the North witnessed a gradual escalation during the final two weeks of January & Febraury 2026, as field confrontations with the Houthis intersected with internal security developments and political and popular mobilization. These dynamics reflected the widening scope of tension beyond frontlines into urban centers.

On Friday, January 23, heavy clashes erupted in the Al-Thokhab sector northwest of Al-Dhalea, resulting in the killing of a soldier from the Southern Armed Forces and the injury of two others, alongside the deaths of several Houthi fighters. Southern forces also targeted militia gatherings in the Al-Jab sector and thwarted an attempted attack.

On the same day, security authorities in Aden arrested four individuals accused of collaboration with the Houthis, including mosque preachers, after they reportedly admitted traveling to Sanaa and Saada to receive religious mobilization training.

Escalation continued early Sunday when a direct Houthi attack was repelled on the Batar front north of Al-Dhalea, followed by Katyusha rocket shelling targeting villages in Hajar without casualties. This coincided with the renewed presence of Saudi reconnaissance drones over Al-Dhalea governorate.

On the Al-Salu front southeast of Taiz, four Houthi fighters were killed during a foiled infiltration attempt, while a woman was killed by sniper fire in the Asifra neighborhood.

Subsequent developments in Al-Dhalea saw a soldier killed Tuesday on the Batar front in a Houthi drone attack, followed Thursday by another soldier killed by sniper fire. Houthi artillery shelling from Al-Bayda direction damaged homes and injured a woman in Bani Mussalam area of Al-Shuaib district.

Southern forces also foiled an infiltration attempt in Bab Ghalaq, while clashes in the Karsh front in Lahj resulted in Houthi casualties and the destruction of their fortifications. In Ahwar district of Abyan, confrontations between security forces and outlawed elements left two soldiers injured. Meanwhile, Taiz fronts witnessed infiltration attempts and mutual shelling across several axes.

On the security and political level, a military force closed the STC National Assembly headquarters in Al-Tawahi, Aden, on Thursday, January 29. The STC in Hadramout also condemned the detention of participants in an event in Mukalla and accused Emergency Forces of raiding a local leader’s home, amid announcements of redeployments and handovers of military sites in Hadramout and Aden. In parallel, angry citizens stormed the headquarters of the local Aden Al-Ghad newspaper on Sunday, vandalizing parts of the premises — an incident condemned by journalists and activists.

Southern cities saw parallel public mobilization. Demonstrations took place in Aden, Mukalla, and Seiyun, while tens of thousands gathered on Thursday, February 5, in Al-Habilain (Radfan), expressing support for the STC and rejecting measures targeting it. The Radfan event also called for the release of Yemeni Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Daeri, reportedly held in Saudi Arabia.

In the first major demonstration since Southern forces withdrew from the city, thousands rallied on Friday, February 6, in Seiyun, Wadi Hadramout, raising South Yemen flags and chanting in support of the STC and its president Aidarous Al-Zubaidi. Participants demanded the withdrawal of Saudi-backed northern Emergency Forces — described as Salafi units deployed to the governorate during Saudi operations against Southern forces earlier in January.

Protesters lowered the Yemeni flag from Seiyun Palace and raised the Southern flag in its place, while others tore Saudi slogans from large advertising billboards.

Live fire was reported against protesters near Seiyun Airport by northern Emergency Forces, before Saudi-backed troops carried out a broad crackdown and arrests targeting STC leaders, journalists, and activists. Local civil organizations estimated around 25 detainees.

Internationally, U.S. aircraft conducted strikes targeting Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula AQAP elements in Wadi Abidah, Marib. Al-Qaeda’s general command issued a statement condemning the U.S. military buildup and threatening to target American interests and bases.

In a separate development, the United Nations reported Houthi storming of UN offices in Sanaa and obstruction of humanitarian flights, later announcing approval to resume operations. In Mocha, Taiz, Houthis prevented a civilian flight from landing at Mocha airport — developments seen as escalation threatening navigation and humanitarian work.

Browse all weekly security events through the following interactive map: