The Saudi Cabinet expressed its categorical rejection of the military events and developments in Yemen's southern provinces, clearly stating that the continued escalation is inconsistent with the promises and commitments made by the United Arab Emirates to de-escalate the situation. This stance reaffirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to Yemen's stability and territorial integrity, and its rejection of any steps aimed at imposing a new reality by military force, which threatens the cohesion of the Arab Coalition supporting legitimacy.
This statement comes amidst escalating tensions between the legitimate Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, which have led to armed clashes in Aden, Abyan, and Shabwa. The Kingdom views these peripheral conflicts with grave concern, as they divert attention from the coalition's primary objective: ending the Iranian-backed Houthi coup and restoring state institutions. The Kingdom has repeatedly called on all parties to prioritize dialogue and respond to the invitation to hold talks in Jeddah to bridge the divide and unify ranks.
Strategically, this internal division within the legitimate government camp poses a significant challenge to the efforts of the Arab coalition. Saudi Arabia, as the coalition leader, is working diligently to maintain the cohesion of the home front against the Houthi militias. Experts and observers point out that any fracturing of relations among the anti-Houthi factions serves Iranian influence in the region and prolongs the war, which has already caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Historically, the Arab Coalition was formed in 2015 at the request of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, with the aim of restoring legitimacy. The UAE was a key and active partner in this coalition and played a pivotal role in liberating the southern governorates. However, differing visions regarding the administration of the south and its political future created a rift that various parties exploited to fuel the conflict, which Saudi diplomacy is attempting to contain by emphasizing the three agreed-upon frameworks and relevant UN resolutions.
In concluding its statement, the Saudi Cabinet stressed that the Kingdom will not stand idly by in the face of any threat to Yemen’s security or to maritime navigation and regional security, stressing that the only solution lies in committing to an immediate ceasefire and returning to the path of political dialogue under the umbrella of the coalition, to ensure that all military and political efforts are directed towards the decisive battle against the Iranian project in Yemen.
