Yemen Government Moves Against UAE-Backed Separatists

 Yemen’s internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government has launched an operation aimed at reclaiming military positions from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, sharply escalating tensions in the country’s east and exposing deepening rifts within the anti-Houthi coalition. The move, announced on Friday by the Saudi-backed governor of Hadramout province, was framed as a limited and “peaceful” effort to restore order. Within minutes, however, the STC said Saudi airstrikes had begun, underscoring how quickly political declarations are translating into military confrontation on the ground.

The operation marks the latest phase in a standoff that has been building since December, when the STC expanded its military footprint across large parts of southern Yemen. While both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened together in Yemen in 2015, their competing interests have increasingly diverged, with Hadramout and al-Mahra emerging as strategic fault lines bordering Saudi territory.

“Not a Declaration of War”

In a televised address, Hadramout Governor Salem Ahmed Saeed al-Khunbashi said the government had appointed him overall commander of the Homeland Shield forces in the province, granting him full military, security and administrative authority. “This is not a declaration of war,” he said, adding that the operation aimed to prevent armed camps from threatening security and to stop Hadramout from “sliding into chaos.” The government said the move was designed to reassert state authority over sensitive military sites.

The STC rejected that account. Amr Al Bidh, a senior STC official, told Reuters that the operation was never intended to be peaceful. “Saudi Arabia knowingly misled the international community by announcing a peaceful operation that they never had any intention to keep peaceful,” he said. “This was evidenced by the fact that they launched seven airstrikes minutes later.” Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the strikes.

Military Sites and Air Power

According to Bidh, three of the seven airstrikes hit the al-Khash’a military camp, one of the largest facilities in Hadramout, with capacity to house thousands of troops. Three Yemeni sources told Reuters that armored vehicles belonging to Saudi-backed government forces were moving toward the camp, which the STC seized in December. STC spokesperson Mohammed al-Naqeeb said forces across the region were on full alert and warned that the group was ready to respond “forcefully.”

The UAE backs the STC politically and militarily, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The confrontation reflects a broader struggle over who controls Yemen’s southern and eastern provinces, areas far from the main Houthi front lines but critical for borders, ports and energy infrastructure.

Aden Airport and Gulf Fallout

The military escalation has coincided with a parallel crisis over Aden International Airport, Yemen’s main gateway outside Houthi control. Flights remained halted on Friday after Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, accused STC leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi of blocking a plane carrying a Saudi delegation from landing on Thursday. Al-Jaber said Riyadh had spent weeks trying to de-escalate but faced “continuous rejection and stubbornness.”

The STC-controlled Transport Ministry countered that Saudi Arabia had imposed an air blockade by requiring all flights to undergo additional checks via Saudi territory. The dispute follows the UAE’s announcement last week that it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, after Saudi Arabia backed a demand for their departure within 24 hours. While that move briefly eased tensions, the current fighting shows disagreements among local allies persist.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both key OPEC members, now face a rare public confrontation that carries implications beyond Yemen. With OPEC+ members meeting online on Sunday and expected to maintain first-quarter output levels, the Yemen escalation highlights how geopolitical rivalry can spill into both security and economic coordination.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/yemen-government-moves-against-uae-backed-separatists-6ytovy86crx

Sources:

Reuters

Seven Killed as Iran Protests Spread

 The unrest has become the largest since the nationwide protests triggered by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, though it remains more geographically limited. Two people were reported killed on Wednesday and five on Thursday, according to Iranian officials and media. Unlike earlier protests centered on the capital, this wave has taken hold in smaller cities, signaling broader economic stress.

Violence Shifts to Rural Provinces

The most intense violence was reported in Azna, in Lorestan province, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) southwest of Tehran. Videos circulating online showed fires in the streets and the sound of gunfire as protesters shouted, “Shameless! Shameless!” The semiofficial Fars news agency reported three deaths there. State-run media offered limited acknowledgment, reflecting continued constraints on coverage following journalist arrests during the 2022 unrest.

Further clashes were reported in Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, roughly 470 kilometers (290 miles) south of Tehran. Footage showed demonstrators gathered as gunfire echoed nearby. Fars, citing an anonymous official, said two people were killed on Thursday. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran also reported two demonstrators killed and released an image showing what appeared to be an Iranian police officer wearing body armor and carrying a shotgun.

“Livelihood Concerns,” Officials Admit

The violence also claimed a member of the security forces. A Wednesday night protest led to the death of a 21-year-old volunteer in the Basij, the paramilitary force linked to the Revolutionary Guard. IRNA confirmed the death, while Student News Network blamed demonstrators. Lorestan deputy governor Saeed Pourali said the Guard member “was martyred ... at the hands of rioters,” adding that 13 Basij members and police officers were injured.

At the same time, Pourali acknowledged the economic roots of the unrest. “The protests that have occurred are due to economic pressures, inflation and currency fluctuations,” he said. In Kouhdasht, more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Tehran, authorities said 20 people were arrested and calm restored.

Trump’s Warning Raises Stakes

The unrest drew a sharp intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, adding an external dimension to Iran’s domestic crisis. Trump said: “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

The protests have been fueled by the collapse of Iran’s rial, now trading near 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar. President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the severity of the crisis but signaled limited immediate options. Meanwhile, state television reported seven arrests tied to alleged foreign-linked groups and claimed security forces seized 100 smuggled pistols, as authorities seek to contain unrest rooted in economic decline.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/seven-killed-as-iran-protests-spread-vvw02b9pr7p

Sources:

AP

China's PLA Simulates Battles Near Mexico and Cuba

 China’s military has simulated conflict scenarios near Mexico, Cuba, and Taiwan during a major wargaming exercise, according to footage aired by CCTV. 

The report, broadcast on December 24, 2025, provided a rare glimpse into the scope of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) military simulations, revealing scenarios far beyond China’s immediate neighborhood.

Maps visible in the footage showed conflict zones spanning the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, and Taiwan. 

Analysts noted that despite China’s limited physical military presence in Latin America, the inclusion of scenarios near the Americas suggests an expansion in the PLA’s strategic modeling and long-term planning.

One screen shown during the broadcast depicted red and blue opposing units — commonly used in PLA exercises, with red typically representing Chinese forces and blue the adversary. 

Aircraft and naval units maneuvered near the coasts of Mexico and Cuba, with blue forces clustering near Houston and advancing into the Gulf of Mexico, while red units operated across the Caribbean.

A close-up map of Cuba displayed projected aircraft and ship trajectories, suggesting a simulated tactical operation.

Chinese researchers were seen pointing to the screen and discussing the evolving scenario, highlighting the analytical focus of the exercise rather than live-force deployment.

The wargaming event was held in Xuchang, in China, and brought together 20 military units from across the PLA and its academies. Dozens of simulation systems were demonstrated, all domestically developed, according to the broadcast.

The CCTV report said the purpose of the exercise was to allow commanders to “learn how to fight without engaging in actual combat,” using a low-cost, immersive and repeatable environment.

The systems shown covered land, sea, air, space, and electromagnetic domains, integrating artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and real-time simulation engines.

Taiwan featured prominently at the center of one of the simulation maps, underscoring its continued centrality in PLA planning.

Beijing considers the island part of China and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification, while many countries oppose any unilateral change to the status quo.

The broadcast also showed simulations involving Chinese J-16 fighters and French-made Rafale jets, as well as maps depicting PLA activity near Russia’s far eastern coast opposite Hokkaido and the disputed Kuril Islands.

The revelations come amid rising regional tensions and increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan and in coordination with Russia.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/chinas-pla-simulates-battles-near-mexico-and-cuba-jeo7sfslc1

Sources:

SCMP

FBI says it foiled New Year's Eve terror attack

 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel (pictured) announced on Friday that the agency prevented a possible terrorist act "inspired by ISIS" that appeared to be scheduled for New Year's Eve in North Carolina.

"Thanks to our great partners for working with us and undoubtedly saving lives," he wrote in a post on X.

Patel stated that a press conference would be held later to provide further information about the purported attack, but no other details were disclosed.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/FBI-says-it-foiled-New-Year's-Eve-terror-attack/65418838

UAE confirms its last forces left Yemen

 The United Arab Emirates confirmed on Friday that its counterterrorism units, its last remaining forces in Yemen after ending its military deployment in 2019, had left the country. The UAE also urged for de-escalation as fatal airstrikes targeted separatists backed by Abu Dhabi.

"The UAE concluded the presence of its counterterrorism forces," a statement from a government official said. "UAE's decisions have consistently favored restraint over escalation, reinforcing a clear preference for regional stability and long-term security. It remains committed to dialogue, de-escalation, and internationally supported processes."

Yemen's presidential council, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, earlier suspended a defense agreement with the UAE and requested that its troops leave the country within a day.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/UAE-confirms-its-last-forces-left-Yemen/65418799

Yemen's STC seeks independence referendum in 2 years

 Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced on Friday the start of a two-year transitional period towards declaring an independent state from the north after its forces seized large areas of the country's south.

"Proceeding from the desire and will of our southern people to restore and proclaim their state... we announce the commencement of a transitional phase lasting two years," the southern separatist movement's leader, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, said in a televised address.

Supported by the United Arab Emirates, the STC has long been a part of Yemen's internationally recognized government, which has spearheaded the battle against the Houthi movement and is backed by Saudi Arabia.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Yemen's-STC-seeks-independence-referendum-in-2-years/65418911

Pfizer Leads Industry-Wide Surge in Drug Prices for 2026 Despite Political Pressure

 

More than a dozen pharmas have recently struck deals with the White House to lower drug prices. Nevertheless, drugmakers reportedly plan to raise the U.S. prices of at least 350 branded medications.

Drugmakers plan to raise the U.S. prices of 40% more drugs in 2026 than they did in 2025—despite pressure from President Donald Trump to charge less. Specifically, more than a dozen Big Pharmas have now reached Most Favored Nation agreements with the White House.

Nevertheless, drugmakers plan to raise the U.S. prices of at least 350 branded medications, Reuters reported based on data from healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors. That’s compared to the 250 or so drugs whose prices companies moved to raise at the start of 2025. At 4%, the median price increase this year is the same as in 2025 and in line with the average since the industry scaled back its annual price hikes in 2019.

Pfizer, the first pharma to strike a drug pricing deal with the White House, is reportedly increasing the prices of 80 products, more than any other company. Pfizer drugs that will cost more this year include the cancer medicine Ibrance, migraine pill Nurtec and COVID-19 therapy Paxlovid.

Most of Pfizer’s price increases are below 10%. The exceptions include the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and certain hospital drugs. Pfizer is reportedly set to charge 15% more for Comirnaty. The prices of some hospital medicines, which are relatively inexpensive, are increasing more than fourfold, according to the report.

Pfizer told Reuters the average increase in the list price of its innovative medicines and vaccines for 2026 is below the overall rate of inflation. The company said the “modest increase is necessary to support investments that allow us to continue to discover and deliver new medicines as well as address increased costs throughout our business.”

Vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles are also among the products that will get new, higher prices. GSK, which sells a shingles vaccine and competes with Pfizer for the RSV market, reportedly plans to increase prices on around 20 products by 2% to 8.9%. The company told Reuters it is committed to reasonable prices and needs to charge more for the products to support scientific innovation.

The list prices of around nine drugs are reportedly falling, with reductions of more than 40% in the case of Boehringer Ingelheim’s diabetes drug Jardiance and three related treatments. Jardiance, which Boehringer sells with Eli Lilly, was part of the Inflation Reduction Act negotiations that cut the prices Medicare will pay for 10 medicines starting this year. Boehringer and Lilly reduced the Medicare price by two-thirds.

In addition to Pfizer, Boehringer, GSK and Lilly are among the 14 drugmakers that have struck price agreements with the Trump administration. Novartis and Sanofi, two other companies that reached deals with the White House in 2025, are also reportedly raising the prices of some drugs this year.

https://www.biospace.com/business/pfizer-leads-industry-wide-surge-in-drug-prices-for-2026-despite-political-pressure