Aden — A growing chorus of American defense analysts and foreign policy experts is calling on the Biden administration to recalibrate its strategy in Yemen by engaging directly with southern Yemeni factions, particularly the Southern Transitional Council (STC), to help resolve the enduring Houthi insurgency.

According to a recent report published by Stars and Stripes, the failure of past military campaigns to decisively weaken the Iran-backed Houthi movement has prompted calls for a regional realignment. 

Advocates argue that southern forces possess territorial control, military discipline, and popular legitimacy that could be leveraged to contain Houthi expansion and restore stability.

The STC, controls key areas including Aden, Mukalla, and strategic ports along the Gulf of Aden. 

Experts suggest that bolstering these forces could create a counterbalance to Houthi dominance in the north, especially as the Houthis continue to launch drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israeli targets.

The proposal remains controversial, given the STC’s separatist ambitions and the complex web of alliances in Yemen. However, proponents argue that realpolitik demands a shift from idealistic unity frameworks to pragmatic partnerships that reflect realities on the ground.