Mohammed Al Jaber criticizes Al-Zubaidi's escalation and affirms support for Yemen's stability

The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering support for peace and stability efforts in the Republic of Yemen. The Ambassador's remarks clarified recent developments, emphasizing that the Kingdom has been and remains a true supporter of the Yemeni people's aspirations for development and economic progress, with particular attention to the Southern issue, which it considers a just cause with deep historical and social dimensions.

Historical context and the Kingdom's efforts in Yemen

To understand the implications of these statements, one must consider the pivotal role the Kingdom has played in recent years to bridge the Yemeni divide. From sponsoring the Gulf Initiative, through the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue in 2014, to the 2019 Riyadh Agreement aimed at unifying military and political ranks, and the 2022 decision to transfer power and form the Presidential Leadership Council, Riyadh has consistently been the driving force behind bringing the warring parties to the negotiating table. These efforts stem from the Kingdom's belief that political solutions are the only way to end the crisis, and that any internal military escalation only serves the enemies of Yemen.

Sharp criticism of the unilateral escalation

Speaking on the “X” platform, Ambassador Al Jaber explicitly criticized what he described as the irresponsible practices of the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarus al-Zubaidi. Al Jaber explained that exploiting the southern cause for political gain and narrow personal interests has undermined the justness of the cause and marginalized the people of the southern governorates, threatening to squander the political gains achieved through previous international and local agreements.

The ambassador noted that the unilateral decisions taken by al-Zubaidi, in his capacity as a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, contradict his political commitments. He highlighted in particular the military offensive on the governorates of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, and the resulting security breaches and intimidation of civilians, considering it a dangerous precedent that undermines the military and security coordination efforts sponsored by the Coalition forces.

Details of the airport crisis and the Saudi delegation

Al-Jaber revealed detailed information about the Kingdom's weeks-long efforts to de-escalate tensions, which were met with persistent intransigence. He explained that the Kingdom sought to withdraw the Southern Transitional Council forces from their camps in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra and hand them over to the "Homeland Shield" forces, but these efforts were met with outright rejection. The escalation reached its peak when Al-Zubaidi refused to grant landing permission to a plane carrying an official Saudi delegation scheduled to arrive in Aden on January 1, 2026, and issued directives to close Aden Airport to air traffic, causing significant hardship for Yemeni citizens.

Expected impacts on the peace process

These developments carry significant implications both locally and regionally, as the cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council is a cornerstone of the comprehensive peace negotiations. There are concerns that these unilateral actions could weaken the legitimate internal front, potentially hindering the development and economic projects led by the Kingdom in the liberated governorates. The ambassador concluded his statement by holding Al-Zubaidi directly responsible for these agendas that harm the interests of southerners, expressing his hope that the more rational members of the Southern Transitional Council would prioritize wisdom to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people, both in the north and the south.