Yemenis in the country’s south and east are facing growing uncertainty as rising political and military tensions threaten to spark renewed fighting, ending a period of fragile calm after years of civil war, Xinhua reported.
The escalation centers on the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has expanded its military presence in several strategic areas, heightening friction with the Saudi-led Arab Coalition that supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces seized the capital, Sanaa, triggering a regional military intervention the following year. While frontlines have largely stabilized in recent months, new fault lines have emerged among former allies opposed to the Houthis.
According to Yemeni government sources, Saudi Arabia has issued a **72-hour ultimatum** demanding that STC forces withdraw from key sites in **Hadramout and Al-Mahrah provinces** and hand over their camps to the **National Shield Forces**, a Saudi-backed military unit established in 2023. The deadline is set to expire at noon on Monday.
Thousands of government-aligned troops have reportedly been deployed near border areas, while military aircraft have intensified patrols over Aden, Hadramout, and neighboring provinces, raising fears of imminent clashes.
For civilians, the prospect of renewed conflict has stirred memories of years of hardship, displacement, and economic collapse.
“We have been through this before, and it destroyed everything,” said **Mohammed Al-Hasani**, a resident of Aden. “People are terrified that the war could return at any moment.”
Residents across several cities reported increased military activity and the sound of warplanes overhead, with many families struggling to stockpile food and fuel amid soaring prices and widespread poverty.
In **Hadramout**, an area that had largely avoided major fighting during much of the war, residents say anxiety is growing, particularly among children unaccustomed to the sounds of military aircraft.
Tensions intensified earlier this month after STC forces took control of parts of Hadramout following clashes with pro-government units. Despite warnings from Saudi Arabia and limited airstrikes targeting STC-affiliated positions, the council has so far refused to withdraw, arguing that its presence is necessary to maintain security.
As diplomatic efforts continue to avert a direct confrontation, many Yemenis fear that renewed fighting could quickly spiral into a broader conflict, further deepening one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
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