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Yemen's UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced a constitution for an independent "State of South Arabia" on late Friday, declaring a two-year transitional phase toward independence as Saudi warplanes struck STC positions and the UAE completed its troop withdrawal from the war-torn country.
STC head Aidarous al-Zubaidi said in a televised address that the constitution would be in effect for two years, after which a referendum would be held "under the supervision of the United Nations" on "exercising the right to self-determination for the people of the South."
"If the other factions don't agree to his call or if they take military action, all options remain open," al-Zubaidi said.
The 30-article "constitution" proclaimed the creation of "the State of South Arabia," covering the same territory of the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, the independent southern state that existed from 1967 to 1990.
Al-Zubaidi said the constitutional declaration was approved and its implementation would begin on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2028. If dialogue calls are not answered or military action is taken against South Yemen's people, territory, or forces, the declaration would take effect immediately before that date, he said.
He said the proposed phase aims to "avoid conflict and ensure a safe political path that preserves the rights of the south and spares the region the high cost" of renewed fighting.
Al-Zubaidi did not provide details on the structure of the transitional authority, the timeline for talks with northern parties, or the practical arrangements for the referendum. There was no immediate confirmation of international support for the plan. No support was given by the UN to the proposed plan.
Yemen's internationally recognized government said the STC's declaration has no legal value and constitutes a rebellion against the legitimate government.
Justice Ministry Undersecretary Faisal al-Majidi said the STC's political declaration "has no legal value" and violates Yemen's constitution and laws.
"This step by the STC means a rebellion against Yemen's legitimate government," al-Majidi said.
He warned that no state can be established without Hadramout and Mahra provinces and that political and field developments in Hadramout would cause major cracks in the southern issue.
Yemen Shura Council member Salah Batis described al-Zubaidi's announcement as "rebellion against the state and its institutions," saying the so-called constitutional declaration has no legal basis and undermines national consensus and comprehensive political solution efforts.
Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed a request by Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi for a comprehensive conference to discuss "just solutions" to the southern Yemen issue.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said its response is based on earlier statements affirming the southern cause "has historical and social dimensions, and that the only way to resolve it is through dialogue within the framework of a comprehensive political solution in Yemen."
Riyadh urged all southern factions to "actively" take part in the conference to formulate a comprehensive framework for "just solutions" addressing "the legitimate aspirations of the southern people."
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The confrontation has pitted Saudi Arabia and the UAE against each other despite both being nominally part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the north.
Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of "pushing STC forces to carry out military operations" along the kingdom's southern border in Hadramout and Al-Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jaber said on X that the kingdom had tried "all efforts with STC" for weeks "to stop the escalation," only to be faced with "continued intransigence and rejection from Aidarous al-Zubaidi."
Al-Jaber said the STC had not permitted a Saudi delegation's jet to land in Aden despite having agreed on its arrival.
Yemen's Transportation Ministry, aligned with STC, said Saudi Arabia on Thursday imposed requirements mandating flights to and from Aden International Airport undergo inspection in Jeddah. All flights from and to the UAE were suspended until Saudi Arabia reverses these measures, a ministry spokesperson said.
Last month, STC-linked fighters seized control of Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces from Saudi-backed forces and took over the Presidential Palace in Aden. Members of the internationally recognized government fled to Riyadh.
The two provinces account for nearly half of Yemen's territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia.
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