|Yemen Control Map 2026: Power Dynamics & Key Players
The internationally recognised government of Yemen, known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), says its forces have recaptured two strategic southern provinces, reversing a month-long takeover by the separatist Southern Transitional council (STC).
In early December 2025, the STC, a UAE-backed secessionist force, seized the two oil-rich provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra, which border Saudi Arabia, in a campaign that Riyadh described as a red line for its national security.
saudi Arabia, which backs the PLC, responded with a series of air strikes on STC positions, including an attack on the southern Mukalla port, targeting what it described as United Arab Emirates (UAE) weapons shipments to the STC.
The PLC and STC have long been allies in the fight against the iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who captured Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014. Recent clashes have intensified instability in the war-ravaged nation and heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In this visual explainer, Al Jazeera unpacks the various groups fighting for control in Yemen, detailing who controls what on the ground and what this means for the humanitarian situation of the country’s 42 million people.
Who are the key players in Yemen?
Table of Contents
There are three key players in Yemen: The Saudi-backed PLC, the Emirati-backed STC and the Iranian-backed Houthis.
presidential Leadership Council (PLC)
The PLC is yemen’s internationally recognised, Saudi-backed governing body, based in Aden.
The group has been led by Rashad al-alimi since 2022,after former President abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi formally transferred his powers to the new eight-member body,which was established to unify the various factions fighting the Houthis.
The council is composed of a mix of northern and southern political and military leaders. While it included the STC at its founding in 2022 to unite anti-Houthi forces, that alliance collapsed on January 7, 2026, when the PLC expelled the STC leadership following their attempt to seize the country’s eastern oil provinces.
The PLC’s mandate is to manage Yemen’s political, security and military affairs during a transitional period and to steer negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire.
Yemen Humanitarian Crisis (as of January 14, 2026)
yemen continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread food insecurity, displacement, and a lack of access to essential services, impacting millions of people. As of early january 2026, approximately 17.4 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 4.8 million remain internally displaced as 2015.
Food Insecurity in Yemen
Food insecurity remains a critical concern in Yemen, driven by ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and climate change. The United Nations estimates that 17.4 million people – over half of the population – are facing acute food insecurity as of January 2026.
this situation is exacerbated by disruptions to supply chains, rising food prices, and limited access to agricultural land. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that Yemen is among the countries most vulnerable to food insecurity globally. In December 2025, the WFP warned that cuts to food assistance due to funding shortfalls woudl push millions further into hunger.
Example: In November 2025, the WFP was forced to reduce food rations for 8 million people in Yemen due to a lack of funding, impacting families already struggling to survive. UN News
Internal Displacement in Yemen
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in widespread internal displacement, with nearly 4.8 million people displaced from their homes since 2015. Displaced populations often face precarious living conditions, limited access to basic services, and increased vulnerability to disease and exploitation.
The International Association for Migration (IOM) tracks displacement patterns in Yemen and provides assistance to displaced communities. Displacement is concentrated in areas affected by active fighting, such as Marib, Taiz, and Hodeidah. The lack of durable solutions, including safe return and reintegration, continues to be a major challenge.
example: As of December 31,2025,the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported 4,785,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Yemen. IOM DTM yemen
Political and Economic Factors
The conflict in Yemen, involving the internationally recognized government, the Houthi movement, and other actors, is a primary driver of the humanitarian crisis. The economic situation has deteriorated considerably, with the Yemeni Rial experiencing a sharp devaluation and widespread unemployment.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group in southern Yemen, has played a important role in the conflict and political landscape. The Council on Foreign Relations provides ongoing analysis of the political dynamics in yemen. The lack of a extensive political solution and the fragmentation of the country continue to hinder efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.
Example: In october 2022, a UN-brokered truce brought a period of relative calm to Yemen, but it expired in October 2023, leading to renewed fighting.