Saudi ambassador meets STC delegation for talks on unrest in southern Yemen

By Hussien Elkabany and Lina Altawell

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen said Thursday that he had met in Riyadh with a delegation from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to discuss preparations for a planned dialogue conference on Yemen’s southern issue, and recent unrest in the country.

Mohammed Al Jaber said on the US social media company X that the meeting reviewed recent actions by the STC that he said “harmed the southern issue, did not serve it, and undermined unity needed to confront enemies.”

He said the discussions also focused on how to address the STC actions “in a way that serves the southern cause and supports coalition efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen.”

The diplomat added that the meeting also dwelt on “arrangements for the southern issue conference, which will be held in Riyadh soon.”

STC delegation member Mohammed Al-Ghaithi said on X that the meeting was “productive,” saying the delegation rejected “everything that harms unity” and supports “everything that serves the southern cause.”

He hailed the Saudi invitation and sponsorship of the dialogue conference to find a solution to the southern issue.

Ghaithi said the delegation reaffirmed “full support and absolute confidence” in the Saudi leadership and heard “clear commitments from Riyadh toward the cause of our people and ensuring a safe and stable future.”

The Saudi-led coalition earlier said that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi failed to comply with instructions to travel to Riyadh for talks, instead mobilizing forces toward Al-Dhale in southwestern Yemen.

Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki later said Zubaidi fled Aden by sea before leaving the region by air, a claim denied by the STC, which insists its leader continues to operate from the city.

The STC has not issued a detailed response, reiterating only that its leader remains active and rejecting the accusations.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of pushing STC forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

The two provinces, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory, were seized by the STC fighters last month, but government forces managed to recapture them earlier this week.

The STC has long pushed for the secession of southern Yemen, arguing that successive governments have marginalized the region politically and economically. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and insist on preserving the country’s territorial unity.

North and South Yemen were unified on May 22, 1990, forming the Republic of Yemen.