The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist armed political group in Yemen, has announced plans to hold a referendum within two years to decide on the independence of South Yemen from the north. STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi made the announcement in a televised speech on Friday, declaring the start of a two-year transitional period and urging the international community to sponsor dialogue between the northern and southern parties. He warned that if no dialogue occurs or if the south faces renewed attacks, the STC would immediately declare independence.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Saudi-backed forces and the UAE-supported STC. Fighting broke out in Hadramaut province, near the Saudi border, between forces loyal to the Saudi-backed governor and STC fighters. STC commander Mohammed Abdul Malik reported that seven people were killed and more than 20 injured in seven airstrikes on an STC camp in Al-Khasha, carried out by Saudi Arabia.

The conflict follows years of instability since the Houthi takeover of Yemen’s capital in 2014, with the country divided between Houthi-controlled north and the Saudi-recognized Presidential Council in the south.