Sanaa, Jan. 3 -- Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes against positions held by the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in southern Yemen, escalating tensions even as Riyadh called for dialogue to contain the latest round of violence near its border.

Fighting intensified in Hadramout governorate, where STC forces clashed with Saudi-backed "Homeland Shield" units. The STC's military spokesperson, Mohamed al-Naqib, said battles were fierce as both sides sought control of strategic areas, including approaches to the city of Seiyun. Yemeni state television reported that STC fighters later withdrew from the al-Safaq checkpoint in Hadramout's Rakhyah district following the Saudi-led coalition's strikes.

According to...