Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which is said to be backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been rapidly advancing through parts of Yemen's southeast, taking over control from groups backed by Saudi Arabia. While all forces involved are supposed to be on the same side in a broader anti-Houthi alliance, the move is yet another reminder that Yemen's war is not over, and that it involves a variety of actors and local grievances. (TNH)

The STC was excluded from the peace talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia that opened in 2023. It has been accused of human rights violations, including running clendestine prisons in conjunction with UAE forces. It declared self-rule in its areas of control in 2020.