Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group.

"Saudi Arabia struck our camp in Al-Hash seven times, we have dead and wounded among our forces," an STC representative responsible for Hadramawt valley told AFP on January 2.

Mohammed al-Naqib, official spokesman for STC forces, confirmed the airstrikes whilst claiming council fighters were combating terrorist organisations. "Our forces are valiantly confronting the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda," al-Naqib said, according to AIC channel, which is close to the separatists. "Saudi aviation will not break our resolve and will not delay victory."

The strikes follow Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi appointing Hadramawt Governor Salem al-Khanabshi as commander of Homeland Shield forces in the region on December 29. Al-Khanabshi announced operation "Receiving the Camps" aimed at transferring STC military installations to government control.

Tensions escalated after the UAE-backed STC seized control of eastern provinces Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah in early December. STC leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi announced plans to create institutions for a future state in southern Yemen.

Al-Alimi requested military assistance from the Saudi-led coalition on December 27. Coalition forces struck Al-Mukalla port on December 31, targeting weapons and equipment unloaded from two vessels arriving from the UAE.

The Yemeni president subsequently cancelled a joint defence agreement with the UAE, demanding withdrawal of Emirati forces within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry accused the UAE of supporting the rebellion, calling it a threat to national security.

The UAE defence ministry announced it would withdraw its limited contingent, which had been conducting counter-terrorism operations in Yemen. Al-Naqib said on January 1 that integration of STC fighters into government Homeland Shield forces had begun.