Latest Updates from the Eastern and Southern Fronts of Yemen, December 17, 2025 (Map)

Major General Talib Barjash, commander of the ousted government’s forces in the Second Military Region (covering al-Mahra and Yemen’s southeastern coasts), has broken away from the ousted government and aligned himself with the Southern Transitional Council. He ordered the removal of Rashad al-Alimi’s portraits—the head of the Presidential Leadership Council of the ousted government—and the Yemeni national flag from all bases under his command, replacing them with portraits of Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, the head of the Southern Transitional Council, and the flag of South Yemen.

During the Hadhramaut conflict, Talib Barjash remained neutral and at times assisted Hadhramaut tribes. However, with recent developments in Yemen’s east and south, his stance has shifted, and he has now joined the Southern Transitional Council.

A similar incident has occurred in Abyan, where the Rapid Response Forces stationed in the Jayshan district have broken away from the Islah Party and the ousted government, joining the Southern Transitional Council.

Movements of Southern forces in the outskirts of the al-Khasha area came under aerial drone strikes by unidentified aircraft. The Saudi Arabian army has not issued any report regarding these attacks, suggesting they were likely carried out by armed elements of the Islah Party. Some Islah sheikhs, due to their close ties with Turkey, have received limited support, including small quantities of weaponry such as Turkish-made quadcopters.

Jordanian Military Aid Convoy Enters al-Wadi‘ah Border Crossing

A Jordanian military aid convoy has entered Yemen through Saudi territory via the al-Wadi‘ah border crossing. In addition to these supplies, a large number of Jordanian advisors have arrived in the al-Wadi‘ah and al-‘Abr areas to train al-Dera‘ al-Watan forces in the use of Canadian armored vehicles and other delivered weaponry.

Some Arab sources have attributed Jordan’s aid shipments to Israel, but this claim is inaccurate. Israel’s positions in Yemen are more closely aligned with the actions of the Southern Transitional Council and the UAE. Through Emirati control of Yemeni islands and air bases, Israel has gained significant intelligence advantages on the Yemeni front. Therefore, it would never act to weaken its allies.

These developments indicate Saudi Arabia’s preparations for a new operation against the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen’s eastern and southern provinces. Contrary to their initial agreement with Riyadh, the STC has taken control of Hadhramaut’s oil fields and northern Shabwah. Despite repeated Saudi requests for withdrawal, the STC is moving toward declaring independence and partitioning Yemen.