Presidential Leadership Council Supported by: Saudi Arabia al-Qaeda Supreme Political Council Southern Movement Yemen Army[5]Special Security Forces[1] Pro-Southern Movement forces Ansar al-Shariah campaign (2011–14) Houthi rebellion (2014) Bombings and terrorist attacks in Yemen Houthi missile and drone attacks in Yemen Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia Houthi attacks on the United Arab Emirates U.S. raids on al-Qaeda Military operations Diplomacy Effects In August 2022, forces of Yemen's Emirati-backed separatist Southern Movement, mainly represented by the Southern Transitional Council, launched an offensive in the Abyan and Shabwah provinces.

These can be divided into two main camps: the Houthi movement, which dominates northern Yemen, and a loose coalition of anti-Houthi forces that hold the remaining parts of the country.

[5] In addition, the power of pro-union forces such as the Islah party declined, while the popularity of southern separatist ideas rose in the territories held by the anti-Houthi camp.

[9] On the same day after heavy clashes Southern forces captured base of 2nd Mountain Infantry Brigade in Azzan.

drone struck military position in Shabwah allowing southern forces to advance towards Marib and Hadramawt.

[19] On 22 August, Southern forces launched an operation called "Arrows of the East" in the Abyan governorate, entering Shuqrah early the next day.

[24] They had negotiated a takeover with local officials who had previously been loyal to ex-President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, but had been "cast adrift by his ouster" due to the formation of the PLC.

[4] Two days later, Saudi Arabia invited "army and security leaders" from Shabwah and Abyan for "consultations", possibly in relation to the Southern offensive.

[26] On 10 September, Southern forces announced offensive against al-Qaeda in Khaber Al-Marakesha area in Abyan and Al-Musainah region in Shabwah governatore.

[36] On 20 September after clearing Wadi Omaran from explosive devices Southern forces moved to "Rabeez" area, while Al-Qaeda retreated to "Al-Hanka".

[2] By 5 November, Southern troops spearheaded by the STC fighters had advanced into al-Khealah valley, south of Mahfad district, dislodging its al-Qaeda garrison.

[40] As the STC is formally part of the Yemeni government, Saudi analyst Abdul-Aziz Alkhames argued that the offensive should not be seen as a revolt.

South24 journalist Ibrahim Ali argued that AQAP was weakened to significant degree due to the decline of the Islah party (which had sometimes tolerated its presence), the loss of several strongholds to the separatists, and the reduction of its ability to move freely in the region.

However, Ali also cautioned that AQAP was reorganizing and possibly redirecting its attacks in order to draw attention away from its remaining hideouts, with the group essentially trying to hold out until the counter-insurgency operations were being reduced.