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Yemen’s STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years

By Thomson Reuters Jan 2, 2026 | 10:40 AM

Jan 2 (Reuters) – Yemen’s southern separatist movement said on ‍Friday it aims to hold a referendum on independence from the north ‌in two years ‌following its seizure of swathes of the country last month in a ​move that triggered a major ‍feud between ​Gulf powers.

The ​Southern Transitional Council (STC) is ‍backed by the United Arab Emirates and has for years been part ‍of Yemen’s internationally recognised government which is supported ‍by ‍Saudi Arabia ​and has ​led ⁠the fight against ‌the Houthi movement.

(Reporting by Maha El Dahan, Enas Alashray and Ahmed TolbaEditing by Frances ⁠Kerry)