Yemen's separatists appear to split, reflecting Saudi-UAE rift

FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) hold a poster of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the STC's leader, who, according to the Saudi-backed coalition, fled to an unknown destination, in Aden, Yemen, December 21, 2025. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman/File Photo

DUBAI, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Yemen's main separatist group appeared split on Friday as some members announced ‌it was disbanding, reflecting a feud between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab ‌Emirates that was blown into the open by a separatist advance last month.

Saudi-backed fighters have largely retaken areas in southern and eastern Yemen seized by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in December, and an STC delegation has travelled to the Saudi capital ‍Riyadh for talks.