Saudi Arabia: Our security is a red line, and the Southern Transitional Council's actions threaten Yemen's stability
In a significant development in the Yemeni landscape, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its firm stance regarding the recent events in Yemen's southern provinces, emphasizing that the Kingdom's national security is a "red line" that cannot be compromised. This Saudi move is a continuation of Riyadh's consistent approach to preserving regional security and supporting stability in Yemen, and a rejection of any military actions outside the framework of Yemeni legitimacy.
The context of the crisis and the violation of the alliance's principles
Reports indicate that the pressure exerted by the UAE on the Southern Transitional Council forces to carry out military operations near the southern Saudi border poses a direct threat to the Kingdom's national security and the stability of Yemen. These actions are a clear departure from the principles upon which the "Coalition to Support Legitimacy" was founded, which aimed to restore the Yemeni state and end the coup, not to create side conflicts that undermine peace efforts.
Historically, the Kingdom has led the Arab Coalition since 2015 at the request of the legitimate Yemeni president, with the aim of protecting Yemen from foreign interference and preserving its Arab identity. Riyadh has consistently sought to bridge the divide between Yemeni factions, a goal embodied in the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, which aimed to unify military and political ranks against the Houthis.
The strategic importance of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah
The governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra hold paramount strategic importance, not only for Yemen but also for Saudi national security, given their location along the direct border with the Kingdom. Riyadh has affirmed that any threat to the security of these areas is a direct threat to Saudi Arabia's own security, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to neutralize any threat emanating from them.
In this context, the Kingdom called on the UAE to respond to the demands of the Republic of Yemen to stop any military support to any party outside the framework of the state, and to work to remove military forces from Yemeni territory in accordance with the specified deadlines, in order to prioritize the interest of Yemen and the principles of brotherhood and good neighborliness that unite the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Riyadh Agreement and the resolution of the Southern issue
The Kingdom reaffirmed its support for the just cause of the South, considering it an integral part of the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue and any future political settlement. However, Riyadh stressed that the solution must be achieved through dialogue and political consensus, not through imposing a fait accompli by force of arms. The Riyadh Agreement guarantees the participation of Southerners in government and state institutions, thus establishing the principle of partnership rather than exclusion.
The Kingdom continues its tireless efforts with Yemeni leaders, including the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, the governors of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, and tribal sheikhs, to calm the situation and ensure the handover of the camps seized by the Transitional Forces to the "Homeland Shield" forces and local authorities, to ensure the continued flow of development and humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people, away from military conflicts.
