Yemen: STC announce two-year independence transition in surprise move

Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced a two-year transition to an independent state on Friday after seizing swathes of territory in a lightning offensive that triggered deadly airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition.

The surprise announcement means Yemen, which was divided into North and South from 1967 to 1990, could again be split by January 2028. The STC plan to call the new country "South Arabia".

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STC president Aidaros Alzubidi said the transitional phase would include dialogue with Yemen's north — controlled by Houthi rebels — and a referendum on independence.

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But on a day when seven separatist fighters died in airstrikes, he warned the group would declare independence "immediately" if there was no dialogue or if southern Yemen again came under attack.

"We announce the commencement of a transitional phase lasting two years, and the Council calls on the international community to sponsor dialogue between the concerned parties in the South and the North," Alzubidi said in a televised address.

"This constitutional declaration shall be considered immediately and directly effective before that date if the call is not heeded or if the people of the South, their land, or their forces are subjected to any military attacks," he added.

Last month, STC forces took over much of Hadramawt, bordering Saudi Arabia, and neighbouring Mahra province on the Omani frontier.