The STC is a separatist group formed in 2017 that seeks the independence of South Yemen, which was a separate country before 1990. While they are part of the anti-Houthi coalition, they have frequently clashed with the internationally recognized Yemeni government over control of the south.

These are two large provinces in eastern Yemen. Hadhramaut is particularly important because it contains significant oil fields, which are a major source of income. Al-Mahra is strategically located on the border with Oman and has been a point of competition between different regional powers.

South Yemen was an independent country from 1967 to 1990 before it merged with North Yemen. Many people in the south have long felt that they are treated unfairly by the central government, which has fueled the desire to become a separate country again.

Saudi Arabia has been the primary military supporter of the Yemeni government since 2015. Their air force provides “air cover,” meaning they use planes to attack enemy positions from the sky, making it easier for government soldiers on the ground to advance or take back territory.

Since the official capital, Sanaa, is controlled by Houthi rebels, the Yemeni government operates from Aden. However, Aden has been a flashpoint because the STC also wants to control it as the capital of a future independent South Yemen.

Al-Zoubaidi is the founder of the STC and a former governor of Aden. He has been a central figure in the southern separatist movement. His reported flight to the UAE is significant because the UAE has been the STC’s main international supporter.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the two most powerful members of the coalition fighting in Yemen. However, they disagree on the future of the country: Saudi Arabia wants a unified Yemen, while the UAE has supported southern groups that want to separate.

Mukalla is a key city in the Hadhramaut region. Its port is one of the most important in Yemen for trade. Saudi air strikes here against UAE-backed interests show how serious the disagreement between the two allies has become.

The UAE has been a major military power in Yemen since 2015. While they helped fight the Houthi rebels, they also spent a lot of effort training local southern forces and fighting groups like Al-Qaeda. Their decision to leave is a huge change for the war.

In 2014, Houthi rebels took control of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. This was a major turning point that led to a civil war and the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in 2015 to support the government.

Despite the massive military power of the Saudi-led coalition, the Houthi rebels have managed to hold onto their territory in northern Yemen. This has created a “stalemate,” a situation where neither side is strong enough to win completely.

Aden is the temporary capital for the government, but it is also the stronghold of the STC. This has led to many “internal” battles within the anti-Houthi coalition, as both groups want to be the main power in the city.

The UAE supported the STC because they wanted a strong ally in southern Yemen to help fight terrorists and protect sea trade routes. However, this support made the Yemeni government angry because the STC wanted to break away from the country.

Saudi Arabia has been trying to end its involvement in the Yemen war. They have held direct talks with the Houthi rebels to stop the fighting, which has helped reduce the number of missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.

Saudi Arabia is worried that if South Yemen becomes a separate country, it will make Yemen even more unstable. They want a single, unified government in Yemen because it is easier for them to work with and helps keep their own borders safe.

While the groups in the south were busy fighting each other, the Houthis took the opportunity to make their control over northern Yemen even stronger. They now manage the daily lives of most Yemenis because they control the biggest cities.

The war in Yemen is often called the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis.” Because of the fighting, millions of people do not have enough food, clean water, or medicine, leading to widespread suffering and death among ordinary people.

The hunger in Yemen is caused by many things: the war has destroyed farms, the economy has collapsed so people have no money, and ports are often blocked, making it hard to bring in food from other countries.

The phrase “uneasy calm” is often used to describe a situation where there is no active fighting, but the deep problems that caused the war are still there. It means that peace is very fragile and could break at any moment.

There is confusion about whether the STC has really ended. While a statement in Saudi Arabia said it was closed, members in the UAE say it is still active. This shows that the group might be divided or just trying to please different countries at the same time.

A federal system would allow different parts of Yemen to manage their own local affairs while still being part of one country. This is seen as a way to satisfy the southern groups who want more independence without completely breaking Yemen apart.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the most influential outside countries in Yemen. If they continue to support different sides, the war will never end. The editorial concludes that their friendship and cooperation are the keys to saving Yemen from further destruction.