STC “tears up” Riyadh agreement: Ministerial defection and takeover of presidential palaces
ADEN, Dec. 22 (YPA) – A major political shift has rocked the southern and eastern provinces of Yemen as several ministers and officials within the Saudi-led coalition-backed government announced their defection from the Presidential Leadership Council’s president, Rashad al-Alimi.
On Sunday, these officials declared their support for the recent escalatory moves led by Aidarus al-Zubaidi, head of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).
Internal Coup and Field Escalation
The crisis intensified following the STC’s military expansion into the strategic provinces of Hadramout and Mahra earlier this month. This was followed by the seizure of presidential palaces in Aden, Sayoun, and Mahra.
Observers view these coordinated actions—supported by defecting ministers from the Media and Social Affairs sectors—as a move to establish a new political reality on the ground, effectively bypassing the Riyadh-led “legitimacy” framework in favor of the UAE-backed separatist ambitions.
The Breakdown of the Riyadh Partnership
The STC’s control over sovereign sites and the removal of the Republic of Yemen flag signify a practical collapse of the partnership formed during the April 2022 Riyadh consultations. Analysts suggest the STC is now moving toward forming a unilateral government, especially as al-Zubaidi seeks international recognition through controversial diplomatic overtures, including hints at potential normalization with Israeli entity.
Saudi Response and Potential Military Confrontation
In reaction to these developments, Saudi Arabia has begun exerting pressure to curb the STC’s influence. Riyadh has reportedly frozen remaining deposit funds and halted entry permits for ships heading to the Port of Aden.
From Riyadh, Rashad al-Alimi is leading a political drive with U.S., EU, and Gulf ambassadors to isolate the STC, backed by UN rejection of unilateral escalations.
Tensions reached a boiling point last Friday when a “fiery message” was delivered via an airstrike on a “Al-Maliqa Brigade” military vehicle in Hadramout, signaling Riyadh’s readiness to use force to protect its direct spheres of influence.
Summary
The situation has evolved from a political dispute into a direct confrontation. The STC’s takeover of the east and the subsequent Saudi economic and military retaliation place the future of the Presidential Leadership Council at a critical crossroads, with the risk of an all-out military conflict between the allies of the 2015 intervention.
YPA