Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia's military struck United Arab Emirates-backed separatists in Yemen on Friday, prompting an unofficial declaration of "war" from the Southern Transitional Council.

Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck on Friday forces in southern Yemen backed by the United Arab Emirates, a separatist leader says. This comes as a Saudi-led operation attempts to take over camps of the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, in the governorate of Haramout that borders Saudi Arabia. Tensions between…

Aden: Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck on Friday forces in southern Yemen backed by the United Arab Emirates, a separatist leader says. There were

The powerful Gulf allies back rival sides in an escalating conflict which threatens to divide Yemen.

Seven separatist fighters killed in Yemen as Saudi coalition strikes escalate tensions between rival factions in the region.

Seven separatist fighters killed in Yemen as Saudi coalition strikes escalate tensions between rival factions in the region.

A United Arab Emirates-backed separatist group in Yemen has agreed to the deployment of forces loyal to Saudi Arabia in southern territories it seized last month, marking a tentative step toward easing tensions between the Gulf allies. The move was announced on Thursday by the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

7 separatist fighters said killed; UAE says it seeks de-escalation as Riyadh, Abu Dhabi jostle for power in government-run areas after forming coalition against Iran-backed Houthis

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday after a weapons shipment from the United Arab Emirates arrived for separatist forces in the war-torn country, and warned that it viewed Emirati actions as “extremely dangerous.” Story by Ellen Gainsford.