A Saudi-led coalition in Yemen stated Saturday it would intervene to defend the internationally recognized government if separatists did not peacefully withdraw from recently seized territories. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a senior Saudi military official and coalition spokesman, called for de-escalation and the return of territory in comments to Saudi state media, adding that any military actions to the contrary would be dealt with "directly and immediately."

The separatist group, known as the Southern Transitional Council (STC), employed military force this month to seize portions of the oil-rich Hadramaut province in southern Yemen and al-Mahra province in the east. The STC was established in 2017 with financial and military backing from the United Arab Emirates, a Saudi ally.

The coalition's warning underscores the complex, multi-layered conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing since 2014. The conflict initially pitted the Houthi movement, a Zaidi Shia Muslim group, against the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, are believed to be supported by Iran, adding a regional dimension to the conflict.

In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen with the stated goal of restoring Hadi's government. However, the intervention has resulted in a protracted war, a severe humanitarian crisis, and a fragmented political landscape. The emergence of the STC as a significant actor further complicates the situation. The STC seeks independence for southern Yemen, a region that was a separate state, South Yemen, until unification in 1990.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict. Multiple rounds of peace talks have failed to produce a lasting resolution. The war has had a devastating impact on Yemen's civilian population, with millions facing starvation and displacement. International aid organizations have struggled to deliver assistance due to the ongoing fighting and restrictions on access.

On Friday, Amr al-Bidh, a senior STC official, claimed that two Saudi airstrikes had targeted forces affiliated with the group in Hadramaut. Al-Bidh reported no casualties. Saudi Arabia did not publicly acknowledge any strikes or respond to the allegation. The current status of negotiations between the Saudi-led coalition and the STC remains unclear, and the threat of further military escalation looms.