ADEN, Yemen - Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on Tuesday warned against any new internal confrontation, condemning unilateral actions by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and rejecting attempts to impose a "fait accompli" by force.

In a meeting with the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission -- a government body established in 2022 to support the PLC and help unify the objectives of the country's political factions, Al-Alimi underscored the commission's role in backing the PLC and the internationally recognised government, safeguarding political partnership, and preventing further instability. He said ignoring the STC's unilateral actions could undermine state institutions and trigger internal conflict.

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Al-Alimi cautioned that exploiting the "southern cause" for unilateral measures would weaken prospects for a political solution and erode regional and international support.

Since early December, the STC has intensified calls to restore the former South Yemen state, seizing control of parts of Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces. Several STC-affiliated ministers have voiced support for declaring an independent southern state, while large pro-STC gatherings have taken place in Aden's Al-Ardah Square.

The STC, founded in 2017, has long sought southern secession, often clashing with state institutions despite participating in government power-sharing arrangements.