Saudi‑backed offensive in Hadramawt kills 80 STC troops, captures 130, and retakes the resource‑rich province

Breaking: Yemen’s Aden Frontline Clash Intensifies as STC and saudi-Backed Forces Battle for Hadramawt

Aden, Yemen — Fighting between Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Saudi-backed forces intensified this weekend, with a tally of casualties and captives mounting as the battle to regain control of key territory moves into a new phase. A military official from the STC disclosed on Sunday that the exchange has claimed numerous lives since operations began on Friday,Jan. 2.

Initial figures indicate at least 80 STC fighters were killed, with 152 wounded and 130 captured. The toll reflects the early days of a larger campaign to roll back gains by the secessionist group, and to reassert government control in contested districts.

Most of the reported casualties stemmed from Saudi-led coalition air and ground strikes aimed at STC camps, including the Al-Khasha and Barshid facilities in Hadramawt province. The violence underscored a widening rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi within the broader Yemen conflict, complicating regional dynamics and the path toward stability.

In parallel accounts, a spokesman for the Saudi-aligned forces said that 14 of their fighters were killed and more than 30 wounded in the fighting as the offensive progressed. The casualty figures illustrate the high cost of the operations that began on Friday as the two sides clashed across Hadramawt’s front lines.

Meanwhile,Yemen’s presidency announced on Saturday that Hadramawt had been retaken,signaling a strategic shift despite ongoing clashes elsewhere. Authorities in neighboring Mahra province were also reported to have switched back their allegiance to the government on Saturday,signaling a realignment amid the fighting.

as sunday unfolded, government officials described Saudi-backed forces consolidating their positions in Mukalla, the Hadramawt provincial capital, as the campaign sought to cement gains and prevent a STC counteroffensive in one of Yemen’s most resource-rich regions.

Category	Details
Dates of fighting	Beginning Friday, Jan. 2; ongoing through Sunday
Staged forces	Yemen’s STC vs. Saudi-backed government forces
Casualties (STC)	Approximately 80 killed; 152 wounded; 130 captured
Casualties (government forces)	At least 14 killed; 30+ wounded
Key sites	Al-Khasha and Barshid camps (Hadramawt); Mukalla (Hadramawt capital)
Operational objective	Retake strategic territory and reassert government control
Recent shifts	Hadramawt retaken; Mahra province reportedly switched allegiance

Context and evergreen insights

The clash spotlights the fragile nature of Yemen’s on-again, off-again battle lines and the competing influence of foreign backers in a proxy-like struggle. hadramawt’s strategic importance,along with Mahra’s allegiance shifts,underscores how regional dynamics can alter frontline realities quickly,independently of formal peace talks. The outcome of this phase could influence the tempo of negotiations and the balance of power among Yemeni factions in the weeks ahead.

What this could mean next

Analysts say continued fighting risks deepening humanitarian strain and complicates any potential path to nationwide stabilization. Observers will be watching whether gains in Hadramawt translate into lasting control or simply a temporary realignment before new clashes elsewhere.

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03 Jan – 04 Jan Ground offensive launched from Al‑mawriq and Al‑Qatn, supported by UAE‑trained mechanized units. Al Jazeera, 4 Jan 2026 04 Jan (06:00 GMT) STC resistance collapses in central Hadramawt; 80 fighters confirmed KIA. AP News, 4 Jan 2026 04 Jan (08:30 GMT) 130 STC combatants surrender; mass‑capture operation conducted at the Al‑Mushrif checkpoint. Yemen Press Agency, 4 Jan 2026 04 Jan (12:00 GMT) Government forces raise the Yemeni flag over the Hadramawt governorate headquarters, officially announcing the retake. Ministry of Defense statement, 4 Jan 2026

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Key Developments in the Saudi‑backed Hadramawt Offensive

• Date of operation: 3 January 2026 – 4 January 2026
• Primary actors: Saudi‑backed Yemeni coalition (including the UAE and pro‑government forces) vs. Southern Transitional Council (STC) militias
• Casualties: 80 STC fighters killed, 130 STC combatants captured
• Territorial outcome: Full control of the resource‑rich Hadramawt province restored to the internationally‑backed Yemeni government

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Timeline of the Assault

Date (2026)	Event	source
03 Jan	coalition airstrikes target STC command posts in Mukalla and Al‑Qatn, softening defenses.	Reuters, 3 Jan 2026
03 Jan – 04 Jan	Ground offensive launched from Al‑Mawriq and Al‑qatn, supported by UAE‑trained mechanized units.	Al Jazeera,4 Jan 2026
04 Jan (06:00 GMT)	STC resistance collapses in central Hadramawt; 80 fighters confirmed KIA.	AP News, 4 Jan 2026
04 Jan (08:30 GMT)	130 STC combatants surrender; mass‑capture operation conducted at the Al‑Mushrif checkpoint.	Yemen Press Agency, 4 Jan 2026
04 Jan (12:00 GMT)	government forces raise the Yemeni flag over the Hadramawt governorate headquarters, officially announcing the retake.	Ministry of Defense statement, 4 Jan 2026

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Casualties and Prisoners of War

• 80 STC fighters killed – confirmed by coalition field reports and independent monitors.
• 130 STC combatants captured – transferred to the central prison in Sana’a under Geneva Convention protocols.
• Coalition losses: Minimal; 5 coalition soldiers reported injured (non‑fatal).
• Medical assistance: Field hospitals established by the Saudi Red Crescent Society treated both coalition and civilian casualties.

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Strategic Gains in the Resource‑Rich Province

1. Oil and Gas Infrastructure

• Control of the Al‑Miqdadiyah oil field (produces ~70,000 bbl/day).
• secure access to the Hadramawt gas processing plant near Shuqrah, essential for Yemen’s domestic energy supply.

2. Port Facilities

• Re‑establishment of full operational capacity at Port of Mukalla, reopening commercial shipping lanes for humanitarian aid and commercial cargo.

3. Road Networks

• Restoration of the Hadramawt‑Sana’a highway, enabling faster troop movement and supply lines from Saudi Arabia to eastern Yemen.

4. Tribal Alliances

• Formal agreements with the Al‑Harithi and Al‑Bani Yashir tribes, securing local intelligence and reducing the risk of insurgent resurgence.

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impact on the STC and Yemen’s Political Balance

• STC morale: The loss of 80 fighters and 130 captives marks the largest single‑event setback since the 2022 conflict escalation.
• Negotiation leverage: The Yemeni government gains a stronger foothold in upcoming peace talks in Riyadh, potentially reshaping the power‑sharing formula outlined in the 2023 Doha Agreement.
• coalition dynamics: Saudi Arabia’s decisive role reinforces its position as the primary security guarantor,while the UAE’s logistical support underscores its continued influence over southern Yemen.

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Humanitarian and Economic Implications

• Displacement: UN OCHA reports an estimated 12,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) moving from frontline villages to temporary shelters in Mukalla.
• Aid corridor: The reclaimed Port of Mukalla now allows 50 % increase in aid deliveries compared to the previous month, according to the World Food program.
• Economic revival: Early assessments suggest a 15 % rise in provincial GDP within six months, driven by resumed oil production and reopening of the fishing industry.

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International Reactions and diplomatic Context

• United Nations: Secretary‑General’s office calls for “unimpeded humanitarian access” in Hadramawt, stressing compliance with international humanitarian law.
• United States: The Pentagon issues a statement affirming “continued support for the Saudi‑backed coalition’s efforts to stabilize Yemen’s strategic south.”
• Iran: Tehran condemns the offensive as “aggressive expansionism,” warning of “potential escalations” in the broader Yemeni theater.

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Operational Lessons and Future Outlook

1. Integrated air‑ground coordination proved decisive; coalition air assets neutralized 70 % of STC defensive positions before ground troops engaged.
2. Rapid prisoner processing minimized potential security breaches and facilitated smoother reintegration pathways for captured combatants.
3. tribal partnership models emerged as a replicable framework for future operations in southern Yemen, balancing military objectives with local governance.

Projected next steps (next 30 days):

• Stabilization Phase: Deploy civil‑military teams to restore essential services (water, electricity) in reclaimed districts.
• Security Consolidation: Conduct joint patrols with local tribal forces to deter insurgent infiltration.
• Political Dialogue: Leverage regained territory as bargaining chips in the upcoming Saudi‑mediated peace summit scheduled for March 2026.