[Today's Prayer] Saudi-Led Coalition Airstrikes Southern Yemen Separatist Bases… 20 Fighters Killed

A Saudi Arabia-led coalition carried out airstrikes on the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a Yemeni separatist group backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), killing 20 fighters on August 2nd (local time). The STC, which controls parts of southern Yemen, announced its intention to pursue independence within the next two years.

According to AFP and other news outlets, an STC official stated that 20 fighters were killed in airstrikes targeting two military bases in Al-Khasha and Seiyun.

According to the STC, the Saudi coalition launched seven airstrikes on the Al-Khasha base alone, targeting airports and other strategic locations.

The STC is a separatist organization demanding the re-establishment of South Yemen, which ceased to exist after the unification of Yemen in 1990. It is hostile to the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels based in northern Yemen.

Backed by the UAE, the STC turned against the Yemeni government as relations deteriorated and seized Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah, areas bordering Saudi Arabia, early last month.

In response, Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government, launched airstrikes on STC military bases, turning the conflict into a proxy war between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

(Omitted)

Meanwhile, Aidarous al-Zoubaidi, president of the STC that controls southern Yemen, said in a televised address that the STC plans to hold a referendum on independence within the next two years. They plan to name the new state “South Arabia.” Al-Zoubaidi also urged the international community to “sponsor dialogue between stakeholders in the North and South,” warning that if dialogue does not take place or if southern Yemen is subjected to military attack, independence would be declared “immediately.”

Source: News1

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Father God, we see that the Saudi-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, and that the STC has announced plans to hold a referendum for the independence of southern Yemen within two years, further deepening the division of Yemen.

As tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have gone beyond diplomatic conflict and spread into a proxy war in Yemen, and as southern independence groups have joined the long-standing civil war between the Houthi rebels and government forces, we lift up before You the weary hearts of the Yemeni people who have been exhausted by endless conflict.

Jesus, Prince of Peace, please go among the divided Yemeni people and comfort their broken hearts. Pour into their leaders a heart that values life, and lead them toward the path of dialogue and reconciliation.

Lord, may the souls of Yemen realize that the only name by which salvation can be found among all people is Jesus alone, and may they meet You as their refuge. Help them to know that the one true salvation that cannot be obtained through North–South dialogue or independence is found only in Jesus Christ. In times like these, may the faithful believers in Yemen hold fast to the assurance of salvation and become channels of hope, sharing the love of Jesus Christ with their suffering neighbors.

May the Arab church and the global church stand together in prayer during this situation, strengthening their unity so that the fruits of life may blossom in war-torn Yemen and the Arab lands.

May God's holy kingdom come to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and all of the Middle East! May they become a holy nation of priests, carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth and leading all nations to the Lord!