Irreparable Divisions: Yemen’s Southern Separatists’ Plight

Yemen’s southern separatist leadership has acted as if its forces are united and political divisions are non-existent. Led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the separatists have taken over all southern provinces since 2017, except for Hadramout and Al-Mahra, which they also seek to dominate.

While the STC has a powerful military presence in Aden and other areas in South Yemen, the infighting between its forces has repeatedly occurred, leaving deaths and injuries. The latest armed confrontation between two separatist factions happened in Aden city yesterday, leaving at least ten militants injured.

The Security Belt Forces, a separatist military unit in Aden, provided details about yesterday’s confrontation. It said in a statement, “The Security Belt Forces deployed patrols at the crossroads of the city of Al-Shaab. The patrols stopped a car believed to be stolen. However, the driver of the car got out and opened fire directly towards the patrol members. After that, a military vehicle came and started shooting at the security patrol. … a limited clash broke out.”

Residents in Aden say such acts of violence have occurred repeatedly in Aden, and public and private properties have been exposed to damage.

Numerous battles between the southern separatist factions, particularly in Aden, have taken place over the past few years. A review of such battles can be presented as follows:

-Armed clashes broke out between the forces of the Dar Saad Police Director, Musleh Al-Dharhani, and forces led by the former Director, Adnan Ali bin Ali, in the Dar Saad District, March 2, 2023.

-Violent clashes in which light and medium weapons were used in Dar Saad District in Aden erupted between gunmen wearing military uniforms on July 16, 2023.

-Armed clashes broke out on August 1, 2023, in Khor Maksar between the guards of the Special Forces Commander in Abyan province, Brigadier General Al-Ouban, and forces from the Security Belt in Aden. Deaths and injuries were reported.

-One person was killed and several others wounded, and several streets in the Mansoura District were closed as a result of armed clashes between military factions affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council on August 17, 2023.

-Armed clashes broke out in the Al-Mansoura district after the STC forces attempted to arrest a number of activists from the February 16 Youth Movement on August 27, 2023.

-Violent clashes erupted between armed security factions in Alhaswah city in Aden over a land dispute on November 19, 2023.

-Four civilians were injured during clashes in Dar Saad between the Security Belt Forces led by Mohsen al-Wali and the Dar Saad police led by Musleh al-Dhurhani on December 3, 2023.

-Armed clashes between STC factions erupted on January 12, 2024, leaving casualties and damage to citizens’ property in the Kabuta area in Aden.

-Armed Confrontation between STC factions broke out on January 27, 2024, leaving one person dead in Al-Sheikh Othman in Aden.

-On February 15, 2024, 3 individuals were wounded in armed clashes between gunmen and a security force in Al-Buraiqa District of Aden. The clashes broke out over a land dispute.

-On February 28, 11 people were wounded, and a number of military vehicles were burned during clashes between the Security Belt Forces and the Emergency Forces in the Al-Buraiqa District of Aden. Both factions are affiliated with the STC.

While the STC has grown powerful over the past six years,  old disputes have revived, and such disagreements may lead to its dismantling. In November of last year, dozens of armed men from Yafa’a tribes gathered in the Al-Tawahi district in Aden, accusing STC political, military, and security leaders of plundering their lands and insulting their tribes. Yafa’a tribe is one of the largest in Yemen and is considered the second pillar, after Dhale, on which the STC relies. 

One of the leaders affiliated with the Yafa’a tribe said in an audio recording obtained by Sheba Intelligence,” We must prepare to strike with an iron hand to discipline Shalal’s followers.” Shalal Shayea is the former Aden security director affiliated with the Al-Dhalea tribes.

The STC was established in 2017 and has taken over several southern provinces, aspiring to gain independence from North Yemen. While the STC’s military strength and political influence have considerably grown over the past few years, the separatists’ internal divisions have not ceased.