Saudi Arabia Calls South Yemen Factions to Riyadh for Talks on Southern Issue
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has invited political and armed factions in southern Yemen to take part in dialogue talks in Riyadh aimed at discussing what it described as “just solutions to the southern cause.”
In a statement, the ministry said the proposed conference in the Saudi capital was requested by Rashad Al-Alimi, president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council. Riyadh urged all southern factions to participate in order to develop a “comprehensive vision” that reflects the aspirations of the people in southern Yemen.
The call for talks comes as the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) has recently seized territory in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra. Saudi Arabia warned that the STC’s actions pose a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and to regional stability.
Earlier this week, the Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government carried out airstrikes on a shipment of weapons and vehicles reportedly bound for southern separatist forces. According to coalition sources, the shipment arrived at the port of Al-Mukalla aboard two vessels.
Saudi officials reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable path toward resolving the southern issue. On Tuesday, Gulf and other Arab countries also reaffirmed their support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
