Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Yemen announced on Thursday that he had convened with a delegation from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Riyadh. The discussions were centered on preparations for an upcoming dialogue conference addressing Yemen's southern issues, amidst the recent unrest in the country.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Mohammed Al Jaber, the Saudi ambassador, shared on the US social media platform X that the meeting evaluated recent actions by the STC, which he claimed had negatively impacted the southern issue, undermining the unity essential for confronting adversaries. The discussions aimed at addressing the STC's actions in a manner that would benefit the southern cause and bolster coalition efforts to ensure security and stability in Yemen.
The ambassador further noted that arrangements for the southern issue conference, scheduled to be held in Riyadh soon, were also discussed during the meeting. STC delegation member Mohammed Al-Ghaithi described the meeting as 'productive' on X, emphasizing the delegation's rejection of anything that harms unity and their support for initiatives that benefit the southern cause. He praised Saudi Arabia's invitation and sponsorship of the dialogue conference as a means to resolve the southern issue.
Ghaithi expressed 'full support and absolute confidence' in the Saudi leadership, acknowledging 'clear commitments from Riyadh towards the cause of our people and ensuring a safe and stable future.' The Saudi-led coalition previously reported that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi did not adhere to directives to travel to Riyadh for talks, opting instead to mobilize forces towards Al-Dhale in southwestern Yemen.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki later claimed that Zubaidi fled Aden by sea before leaving the region by air. This claim was refuted by the STC, which asserts that its leader remains operational in the city. The STC has not issued a comprehensive response but maintains that its leader is active and rejects the allegations.
Recently, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of urging STC forces to conduct military operations along Saudi Arabia's southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi has denied these accusations. The two provinces, which constitute nearly half of Yemen's territory, were taken over by STC fighters last month, but were reclaimed by government forces earlier this week.
The STC has long advocated for the secession of southern Yemen, citing political and economic marginalization by successive governments. Yemeni authorities dispute this claim and are committed to maintaining the country's territorial unity. North and South Yemen were unified on May 22, 1990, forming the Republic of Yemen.