Split or End? Yemen STC Dissolution 2026 Announcement Sparks Confusion

They've shaken hands, but the fists remain clenched. Yemen's primary southern separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has reportedly decided to disband following high-stakes talks in Saudi Arabia. However, the move has already triggered a public rift within the organization's top brass.

The Geopolitical Stakes of the Yemen STC Dissolution 2026

According to reports from Al Jazeera on Jan 9, 2026, STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi announced the group's dissolution on televised broadcast. He framed the decision as a necessary step to "preserve peace and security" in the region, praising the mediation efforts provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Internal Denial and Leadership Split

The announcement didn't sit well with all members. Anwar al-Tamimi, the STC spokesman currently based in Abu Dhabi, told AFP that the news is "ridiculous." He noted that he remains out of contact with the delegation in Riyadh, indicating a massive disconnect between the group's negotiators and its external representatives.

This political drama unfolds against the backdrop of deteriorating ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Riyadh, which backs the internationally recognized Yemeni government, viewed the STC's recent military gains as a direct threat to national security. The government has since declared a state of emergency and ordered the withdrawal of all UAE forces from the territory.