The Saudi ambassador to Yemen criticizes the Southern Transitional Council's individual actions

The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to Yemeni unity, noting that unilateral actions do not serve the path to a comprehensive political solution. This came during a meeting between the Ambassador and a delegation from the Southern Transitional Council in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where they discussed recent developments and their impact on the political and security situation in the liberated governorates.

Details of the meeting and discussion of recent developments

In a statement, Ambassador Al Jaber explained, “I met with a delegation from the Southern Transitional Council in Riyadh, and we discussed the actions taken at the direction of Aidarus al-Zubaidi and the resulting damage to the southern cause and to unity.” The ambassador added that the discussions were characterized by transparency and clarity, and that they explored ways to address the situation in the future to ensure that such transgressions, which could hinder the efforts of the Arab Coalition, are not repeated.

Al Jaber noted that the meeting directly addressed the ongoing arrangements for the upcoming Southern Issue Conference to be held in Riyadh, stressing that the Kingdom is keen for this conference to be a comprehensive platform that serves the just Southern cause within the framework of the final solution to the Yemeni crisis, and in a way that enhances efforts to achieve security and stability.

The importance of adhering to the Riyadh Agreement and the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council

These statements come at a sensitive time in the Yemeni crisis, as Saudi Arabia, as leader of the Arab Coalition, seeks to bridge the divide between the various Yemeni factions operating under the umbrella of legitimacy. The Riyadh Agreement, sponsored by the Kingdom, serves as the primary framework for ending tensions in the south and unifying military and political efforts to confront shared challenges.

Observers believe that the individual actions criticized by the Saudi ambassador could negatively impact the cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council, which was formed to serve as an umbrella organization for all active forces on the ground. Unity within the council is considered a strategic necessity to strengthen the legitimate government's position in any future peace negotiations, as well as to improve the service and economic conditions that Yemeni citizens are suffering from.

Saudi Arabia's role in supporting regional stability

Strategically, the Saudi ambassador's close attention to the details of the southern movements reflects Riyadh's keenness to prevent any slide into chaos in the liberated areas, which could negatively impact regional security and maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. Saudi diplomacy is working intensively to contain internal disputes to ensure that the focus remains on restoring the state and its institutions.

The emphasis on holding a conference on the southern issue in Riyadh sends a clear message of reassurance that the Kingdom is not ignoring southern grievances, but rather seeks to resolve them through political channels and constructive dialogue, away from military escalation or unilateral decisions that may further complicate the already complex Yemeni scene.