2025–2026 southern Yemen campaign

On 2 December 2025, during the Yemeni civil war, the Southern Transitional Council (STC)—a secessionist faction backed by the United Arab Emirates—launched a large-scale military offensive across southern Yemen, breaking years of military stalemate in the conflict. The operation began in the Hadhramaut Governorate, which at the time was under the control of the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government of Yemen.

The STC advanced rapidly, seizing several government-held areas in northern Wadi Hadhramaut, including the cities of Seiyun and Tarim. The offensive then expanded into the neighboring Al-Mahrah Governorate and other adjacent regions. Codenamed "Operation Promising Future", the campaign saw rapid territorial gains, and by 9 December the STC had taken control of most areas spanning the six governorates of the former South Yemen.

On 30 December, the Royal Saudi Air Force carried out airstrikes on the STC-controlled port city of Mukalla, targeting what it said was a shipment of weapons that had arrived from the UAE. The UAE denied that the shipments contained weapons. Shortly afterward, the internationally recognized Yemeni government ordered all UAE forces to leave Yemeni territory within 24 hours, announced a 72-hour air, land, and sea blockade, and declared a 90-day state of emergency. Later that day, the UAE announced it would voluntarily withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen following the Saudi strikes.

On 2 January 2026, the Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi airstrikes, launched a counteroffensive to retake the territories captured by the STC. The STC later announced plans to hold an independence referendum within two years. Backed by Saudi Arabia, government forces advanced rapidly, recapturing Seiyun on 3 January and Mukalla the following day, reversing the STC gains. On 7 January, government forces began entering the STC's capital, Aden, amid the collapse of STC resistance. Subsequently, STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi was removed from his position on the Yemeni Presidential Council, charged with treason, and fled to the UAE. On 9 January, the STC announced its dissolution following widespread territorial losses across the country.