ADEN (Ruptly) — Thousands of supporters of the Southern Separatist Movement rallied in Aden on Thursday, demanding recognition of their right to self-rule after separatist forces drove unionists out of its former capital, the southern port.

Protesters were seen waving southern flags and banners showing their their support to the Southern Transitional Council.

The movement highlights the rift within the Saudi-UAE coalition supposed to be battling the Houthi movement. The two sides have different visions for Yemen’s future: the UAE support southern Yemeni groups campaigning for secession, while President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, whose main backer is Saudi Arabia, is seeking to cling onto power.

Yemen was split into two states shortly after independence from British colonial rule, before reunification in 1994. Relations between the two Yemeni states fluctuated between peaceful and hostile. The South was supported by the Eastern bloc while the the North was not able to get the same connections. In 1972, the two states fought a war. The war was resolved with a ceasefire and negotiations brokered by the Arab League, where it was declared that unification would eventually occur. In 1979, fresh fighting between the two states resumed and efforts were ruined to bring about unification.