Fear and Tension Rise as STC Cracks Down on Militants in Southern Yemen
Armed forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) have launched a security operation aimed at curbing the influence of al-Qaeda militants in Yemen’s Abyan province. As part of the campaign, the districts of Mudiyah and Ja’ar have been placed under siege.
To tighten control, STC forces—supported by the Security Belt Forces (Hizam al-Amni)—have set up checkpoints along both main and secondary roads in the targeted districts. Several residents of Ja’ar have reportedly been arrested on suspicion of planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting STC military vehicles. However, local sources in Abyan claim these individuals were merely fetching water for their homes and argue that the accusations are unfounded.
The operation has had a chilling effect on daily life. Fear of arrest has kept Mudiyah residents indoors at night, and even shepherds have stopped grazing their livestock. This disruption has severely impacted livelihoods and local businesses.
Abyan province has been under al-Qaeda’s influence since the Yemeni crisis began, and before that. In recent years, the Wadi Omran valley, Al-Mahfad administration, Ahwar, Lawdar, and Ja’ar have also been affected by al-Qaeda activity, with Mudiyah administration being the most prominent area.
Abyan is a key base for the Southern Transitional Council’s control and influence over these areas, serving as a link between Aden and the provinces of Shabwa and Hadramaut.
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