About 20,000 Saudi-backed forces are gathering near Yemen's border as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) faces pressure to pull back from large areas it took in Hadramaut governorate. The STC, supported by the UAE, has advanced recently and demands Yemen split into north and south, like before 1990. Saudi forces, supported by troops from the National Shield militia, are near the border in al-Wadeeah and al-Abr areas. The STC was warned of possible Saudi airstrikes threatening its key positions. Despite this, the STC remains supported by the UAE, raising chances of conflict between Saudi- and UAE-backed forces. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that fighting in Yemen risks spreading to nearby regions. He said, “unilateral actions will not clear a path to peace, but only deepen divisions,” and stressed that “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen must be preserved.” Nearly 5 million Yemenis have fled their homes due to the ongoing civil war. The STC refused Saudi demands to withdraw from Hadramaut, al-Mahra, and Abyan governorates. Their rapid advance stunned Riyadh, which was once the main power in Yemen. The STC sees an independent south as a shield against extremism threatening the Red Sea. However, not all southern groups want division. Farea al-Muslimi of Chatham House said Saudi patience may be ending, noting, "Yemen is a poor country with too many young fighters and too many proxies." Hadramaut covers 36% of Yemen, holds its biggest oil reserves, and important ports like Mukalla. The Islah party, Yemen's largest political group opposed to splitting the country, hopes the STC will soon face strong calls to leave Hadramaut. Islah’s Abdulrazak al-Hijri called the STC advance “a dangerous development” causing chaos by invading stable areas. He mentioned reports of STC human rights abuses including theft and mass arrests. He added, “Saudi Arabia is determined that these forces must leave and return to their own places.” Al-Hijri warned that only the Houthis benefit from the country's growing divisions, accusing them of treating Yemenis like slaves. Since 2022, the STC has shared power in a Saudi-led council with other groups, including Islah.