Yemen's UAE-Backed STC Dissolves After Failed Land Grab, Leader Flees to UAE

• Yemen's UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced its dissolution, effective Friday, following weeks of unrest and a failed land grab attempt.
• The decision came after a Saudi Arabia-led coalition attacked UAE-backed separatists attempting to seize territory in Mukalla, exposing a rift between Gulf countries.
• STC secretary-general Abdulrahman Jalal al-Sebaihi announced the dissolution on Yemen TV, citing rejection of de-escalation efforts and unfortunate events in Hadramout and al-Mahra.
• Internal divisions within the STC emerged, with spokesperson Anwar al-Tamimi and vice president Hani bin Breik slamming the announcement as coerced and invalid.
• STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled Yemen to Abu Dhabi, UAE, after being charged with treason for allegedly refusing to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks and deploying forces.

Why It Matters: Yemen's UAE-backed STC dissolves amid internal rifts and Saudi pressure after a failed land grab.