Sat Dec 27 10:54:49 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, suitable for publication in The Hindu’s e-paper:

Headline: Saudi-Led Coalition Warns Separatists in Yemen Over Military Movements

Cairo, December 27, 2025: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen issued a stern warning to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) on Saturday, threatening immediate retaliation against any military actions that undermine de-escalation efforts in southern Yemen. The warning comes amidst escalating tensions between the coalition and the UAE-backed separatists, who are seeking South Yemen’s secession.

Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, a coalition spokesperson, accused the STC of “serious and horrific human rights violations against civilians,” although he did not provide specific evidence. His statement followed accusations from the separatists that Saudi Arabia had conducted airstrikes against their forces, which the kingdom has not formally acknowledged.

The current crisis was triggered earlier this month when the STC moved into the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra, seizing an oil-rich region and displacing forces aligned with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces. The coalition is now demanding the STC withdraw its forces from these regions, ceding control back to local authorities and handing over military camps.

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (the internationally recognized government), condemned the STC movements as “serious violations against civilians” following an emergency meeting on Friday. The coalition’s statement on Saturday was reportedly issued at al-Alimi’s request to protect civilians in Hadramout.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war for over a decade, with the Iran-backed Houthis controlling much of the north and the Saudi-UAE-backed coalition supporting the internationally recognized government in the south. The UAE’s support for the southern separatists has strained relations within the coalition, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation. The coalition demands the withdrawal of STC forces from the two governorates, with local authorities back to overseeing them, and the handover of their military camps.

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