The Saudi approach in southern Yemen: a strategy of containment and stability
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played a pivotal and decisive role in containing the rapid developments witnessed in the southern Yemeni governorates over the past years, adopting a comprehensive approach that combined political diplomacy, security solutions, and economic and developmental support. The Saudi response was not merely a knee-jerk reaction, but rather part of a strategic vision aimed at preserving the cohesion of the Yemeni state and unifying ranks to confront the greater challenges.
General context and historical background: From tension to the Riyadh Agreement
To understand the depth of the Saudi role, one must consider the context that preceded the intensive diplomatic intervention. In August 2019, the interim capital, Aden, and other southern governorates witnessed military tensions and armed clashes between government forces and the Southern Transitional Council. These events threatened to undermine the legitimacy of the Yemeni government from within and derail efforts to restore the state. It was at this juncture that Saudi Arabia demonstrated its wisdom by immediately calling for dialogue, culminating in the signing of the Riyadh Agreement on November 5, 2019. This agreement was not merely a ceasefire document, but a political, military, and security roadmap aimed at integrating military formations and forming a government of political competence, equally representing the north and south.
Pillars of the Saudi Comprehensive Approach
The Saudi approach to the southern Yemen issue was characterized by a high degree of responsibility and comprehensiveness, as it was based on several parallel tracks:
- The political track: sponsoring ongoing dialogues to bring the views of the Yemeni components closer together, and ensuring the participation of the Southern Transitional Council within the structure of the legitimate government, which conferred political legitimacy and institutional stability.
- The security and military track: Direct supervision by the coalition forces of the implementation of the military aspect of the Riyadh Agreement, the separation of forces, and redeployment in a way that ensures the security of the interim capital, Aden.
- On the developmental and economic front, Riyadh did not neglect the humanitarian aspect; the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen was actively involved in the southern governorates. These efforts included rehabilitating Aden Airport, providing fuel to the electricity sector, developing hospitals and schools, and depositing funds in the Central Bank of Yemen to support the local currency and prevent economic collapse.
Strategic importance and regional and international influence
Saudi Arabia’s success in containing the tensions in southern Yemen has implications that extend far beyond local geography. Domestically, this stability has enabled the government to resume its operations from Aden, facilitating the delivery of services to citizens. Regionally, the stability of southern Yemen is a cornerstone of Gulf security and the protection of international waterways in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as any security vacuum could be exploited by extremist groups or hostile forces to threaten international navigation.
Internationally, Saudi Arabia's efforts are viewed as crucial in supporting the UN and the UN Special Envoy's efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in Yemen. Unifying the internal front in the south is a necessary step for any final and comprehensive peace negotiations that will end the entire Yemeni conflict. In doing so, the Kingdom has demonstrated that its responsible approach extends beyond military support to include peacemaking and state-building.
