Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Saudi-backed government forces have reclaimed oil-rich territory from United Arab Emirates-supported, armed separatists in Yemen.
The Southern Transitional Council, which seeks to create a new state called South Arabia, seized the provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra in Southern Yemen last month.
But Yemeni information minister Moammar al-Eryani, who represents the Presidential Leadership Council, told The New York Times by phone Sunday that government forces have since re-taken Hadramout, "assumed positions" in al-Mahra and are optimistic about securing the de facto capital of Aden soon.
Al-Eryani also urged the separatists in the region to surrender as "the state reasserts authority."
Al Jazeera said the Yemeni government has invited the STC to a conference in Saudi Arabia and that STC representatives see this as a "genuine opportunity for serious dialogue."
