December 29, 2025

The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy calls on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to lower the tensions in the Hadhramaut region, supervise a ceasefire, and start talks, rather than engage in any further military action.

In recent days the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) captured and occupied Mahra and the oil-rich region of Hadhramaut, consolidating control over South Yemen. Saudi Arabian forces are seeking to force the withdrawal of the STC from those areas through a limited bombing campaign and have amassed troops on the border to enforce withdrawal if needed.

AMCD believes the Arab Coalition allies must put aside their disagreements and focus on defeating and disarming the Iran-backed Houthis. Allowing divisions over the status of South Yemen will enable the Khomeinists to defeat both anti-terrorist factions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both regional allies the Saudis and the Emirates to consolidate the coalition and focus on the Islamic regime of Iran and the jihadists:

“The United States is concerned by recent events in southeastern Yemen. We urge restraint and continued diplomacy, with a view to reaching a lasting solution. We are grateful for the diplomatic leadership of our partners, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and remain supportive of all efforts to advance our shared security interests.”

AMCD encourages cooperation between the two anti-Houthi factions and urges them to make those diplomatic compromises necessary to sustain the coalition and defeat the Iran-backed Houthis. A political settlement for the whole of Yemen satisfying the conditions of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia will not be possible until Iran’s influence in the region is soundly defeated.