Paris – French newspaper Le Monde reported that Saudi warplanes carried out airstrikes on Friday, January 2, targeting positions held by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in Yemen, killing 20 fighters and wounding others.

An STC official stated that the strikes came after the group expanded its control over large areas of the country in recent weeks, noting that this marks the first casualties since the STC seized significant parts of Hadramout and Al-Mahra last month.

The report highlighted that the raids struck a camp and military sites in Wadi Hadramout, including the Khasha camp, where 20 were killed and more than 20 injured. Additional strikes shook Seiyun’s airport and military base, according to witnesses and STC sources.

A military spokesperson for the STC described the confrontation as a “decisive and existential war” against Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, framing it as a battle against “Islamic extremism.”

The United Arab Emirates called for de-escalation, confirming that its remaining forces had left Yemen, while stressing its commitment to dialogue and internationally supported operations as the only sustainable path to peace.

Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi, quoted by Saba Net, said the operation “is not a declaration of war,” emphasizing that it aims to “hand over military sites peacefully and systematically.”

Saudi sources confirmed that the strikes were carried out by the coalition formed in 2015, warning that operations would continue until the STC withdraws from the two provinces.

Le Monde noted that these developments come at a critical moment, raising the prospect of renewed calls for southern independence and further undermining stalled peace talks with the Houthis. Flight tracking data also indicated that no planes had landed or departed from Aden airport for more than 24 hours amid growing disputes.