Yemen's STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years


Supporters of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) wave flags of the STC and the United Arab Emirates, during a rally in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman

Jan 2 (Reuters) - ‌Yemen's southern separatist ‌movement said on Friday ‌it aims to hold a referendum on independence from ‍the north in ‍two years ‌following its seizure of swathes ‍of ​the country last month ⁠in a move that triggered a ‌major feud between Gulf ⁠powers.

The Southern ‍Transitional Council (STC) is backed by the United ‍Arab Emirates and ‌has for years been part of Yemen's internationally recognised government which is supported by Saudi Arabia and has led ‌the fight against the Houthi movement.

(Reporting by Maha El ​Dahan, Enas Alashray and Ahmed TolbaEditing by Frances Kerry)

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