Two Sudanese soldiers killed in Yemen clashes

The Arab League on Saturday reiterated support for Yemen's territorial integrity after former Yemeni officials formed a southern council to split from the north.

On Thursday, Aidaroos al-Zubaidi, a former governor of Aden, Yemen's main southern city, declared the council would establish a "national political leadership" under his presidency that would represent and administer the south.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, army spokesperson Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami said the Sudanese troops carried out a series of successful operations in Yemen on Friday and Saturday, saying two soldiers were killed and several others injured.

"Opening new other fronts would divide the citizens and add more complications to the fragmentation factors", he said.

The formation of the Southern Transitional Council by al-Zubaidi, and new "vice president" Hani Bek Brik, also a former government minister, has also been criticised by the Hadi government, which has refused to recognise it.

The move, however, was vehemently rejected by the Yemeni government and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Since October 2015, Sudan has been part of the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting the Iranian-backed Huthis in Yemen.

The announcement threatens more turmoil in the impoverished Arabian Peninsular country where the internationally-recognised government is forced to sit in Aden because the Houthi rebels control the capital Sanaa.

Although Hadi hails from the south himself, he worked as vice president for 18 years under former President Saleh and is thus seen by some southern factions as a product of the global community and a puppet in the hands of the Saudis.