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Yemen calls on STC to attend Riyadh dialogue conference
(MENAFN) A member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Abdullah Al-Alimi, on Saturday called on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to take part in a Saudi-hosted conference aimed at addressing the crisis in southern Yemen.
Al-Alimi urged the STC to engage “actively and positively” in the planned dialogue, emphasizing the need for all southern political forces and figures to be included in order to reflect the region’s diversity and prevent the recurrence of past grievances. He also thanked Saudi Arabia for its “sincere efforts” to restore calm and protect civilians, particularly in Hadhramaut, Shabwa, and Al-Mahra provinces.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the request by Yemen’s presidential council chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, to host the conference in Riyadh, intended to develop a comprehensive vision for addressing southern issues. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE also expressed support for the initiative.
Shabwa Governor Awad Mohammed bin al-Wazir affirmed cooperation with the Saudi-led Arab coalition to maintain stability in his province amid ongoing tensions between government forces and STC fighters. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed that no forces would enter Shabwa without coordination with local authorities.
The call for dialogue follows an escalation since early December, when STC forces took control of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra—provinces that account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and border Saudi Arabia. On Friday, STC head Aidrous al-Zubaidi announced a two-year “transitional phase” that would include discussions with northern Yemeni parties and a “referendum” on the south’s future.
The announcement comes amid tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Riyadh accusing Abu Dhabi of pushing the STC to carry out operations along the southern border—a claim denied by the UAE. While the STC advocates for southern secession, Yemeni authorities continue to reject this and reaffirm commitment to national unity.
Al-Alimi urged the STC to engage “actively and positively” in the planned dialogue, emphasizing the need for all southern political forces and figures to be included in order to reflect the region’s diversity and prevent the recurrence of past grievances. He also thanked Saudi Arabia for its “sincere efforts” to restore calm and protect civilians, particularly in Hadhramaut, Shabwa, and Al-Mahra provinces.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the request by Yemen’s presidential council chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, to host the conference in Riyadh, intended to develop a comprehensive vision for addressing southern issues. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE also expressed support for the initiative.
Shabwa Governor Awad Mohammed bin al-Wazir affirmed cooperation with the Saudi-led Arab coalition to maintain stability in his province amid ongoing tensions between government forces and STC fighters. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed that no forces would enter Shabwa without coordination with local authorities.
The call for dialogue follows an escalation since early December, when STC forces took control of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra—provinces that account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and border Saudi Arabia. On Friday, STC head Aidrous al-Zubaidi announced a two-year “transitional phase” that would include discussions with northern Yemeni parties and a “referendum” on the south’s future.
The announcement comes amid tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Riyadh accusing Abu Dhabi of pushing the STC to carry out operations along the southern border—a claim denied by the UAE. While the STC advocates for southern secession, Yemeni authorities continue to reject this and reaffirm commitment to national unity.
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