Salah Batis: The Riyadh Agreement is a lifeline, and the rebellion in eastern Yemen is unacceptable
Amid the rapid transformations unfolding in Yemen, and the escalating political and military tensions in the southern and eastern governorates, the urgent need to return to national and regional frameworks to ensure the country's stability is paramount. In an exclusive interview with Al-Youm newspaper, Salah Batis, a member of the Yemeni Shura Council and a member of the preparatory committee for the unified council of the eastern governorates, clarified the key points regarding the future of the political process, the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the dangers of descending into chaos.
Context of the crisis and the importance of the Riyadh Agreement
This dialogue comes at a sensitive time for the Republic of Yemen, as the Riyadh Agreement, signed in November 2019 under Saudi auspices, represents the cornerstone for unifying the ranks against the Houthi coup. In this context, Batis emphasized that the agreement is not merely a political document, but a roadmap for unifying military and security efforts under the umbrella of the state.
Batis explained that the Yemeni Shura Council is following recent developments with grave concern, emphasizing its categorical rejection of any unilateral actions or rebellion against the legitimate authority represented by the Presidential Leadership Council headed by Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. He stressed that any military formations outside the framework of the Ministries of Defense and Interior constitute a direct threat to the social fabric and national unity.
Eastern provinces: Strategic importance and risks
The eastern governorates (Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Shabwa) are of paramount strategic importance as they represent the economic lifeline of Yemen and share extensive borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman. Batis warned of the dangers of militarizing these areas or dragging them into a cycle of violence, describing the ongoing mobilization outside the framework of the state as an "armed rebellion" that must be stopped immediately.
He pointed out that constitutional responsibility requires the legitimate leadership to deal firmly with these violations, and to work on integrating all forces within the official structure of the state, to ensure that efforts are not scattered in side battles that hinder the ultimate goal, which is to restore the capital, Sana’a.
Strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Regarding the regional role, the Shura Council member commended the significant efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to preserve the security and stability of Yemen. He emphasized that the national security of the two countries is indivisible, given their geographical and social interconnections and their shared border, which extends for more than 1,800 kilometers.
Bates praised the recent Saudi moves to calm the situation in Hadramawt, noting the positive role of the Saudi delegation in defusing tensions and preventing a slide into internal fighting, which reflects the Kingdom’s constant concern for sparing the blood of Yemenis and supporting their legitimate institutions.
The political solution and the federal state
Regarding his vision for a final solution, Batis reiterated his commitment to the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference as the fundamental framework for a solution, which stipulated the establishment of a federal state comprised of six regions. He emphasized that this model is the only guarantee for the equitable distribution of power and wealth, the redress of past grievances, and the prevention of narrow-minded projects, whether based on dynastic or regional interests.
He concluded by emphasizing that the roadmap for peace begins with ending the Houthi coup, restoring state institutions, and implementing the military and security aspects of the Riyadh Agreement, leading to the building of a new federal Yemen that accommodates all its citizens.
