Yemen’s STC says ready to ensure success of Riyadh conference on southern issue

By Mohammed Sameai and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) signaled readiness on Monday to ensure the success of a planned conference in Saudi Arabia for dialogue on the future of the country’s south.

In a meeting of the STC leadership in Aden, the council’s head, Aidarous Zubaidi, and members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council commended the Saudi efforts to host the conference in Riyadh to explore ways to resolve the southern issue.

It expressed willingness “to participate effectively in ensuring the success of the conference, in a way that contributes to shaping a unified southern vision consistent with the struggles and aspirations of the people of the south for their right to self-determination within a defined timeframe, under UN and international supervision.”

On Saturday, Riyadh invited all parties in Yemeni territory outside Houthi control to attend a conference to discuss the southern issue.

The invitation came a day after Zubaidi announced a two-year “transitional phase” that would include dialogue with parties in southern Yemen and a “referendum” on the future of the south.

It came after STC forces captured the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra last month, but government forces on Sunday reclaimed full control of the two regions, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia.

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 STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.