Mohammed Al Jaber: Saudi Arabia supports peace in Yemen and rejects the Southern Transitional Council's escalation
The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been and remains the foremost supporter of peace, security, and stability in the Republic of Yemen. The Ambassador's remarks, made via his official account on the "X" platform, highlighted Riyadh's ongoing efforts to support the Yemeni economy and comprehensive development initiatives, emphasizing that the Kingdom stands with the Yemeni people in all their diversity.
The position on the southern issue
In discussing the complex political issue, Al-Jaber explained that the Kingdom has supported and continues to support the southern cause, considering it a just cause with deep historical and social dimensions. He indicated that the true and sustainable solution to this issue lies in engaging in constructive political dialogue that meets the aspirations of citizens in the southern governorates, including the Southern Transitional Council, and avoids escalation or exclusion.
Historical context and ongoing efforts
These statements come as an extension of the Kingdom’s historical role in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has sponsored many pivotal initiatives and agreements, starting with the Gulf Initiative, passing through the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue in 2014, reaching the Riyadh Agreement in 2019, which aimed to unify the ranks, and the decision to transfer power and form the Presidential Leadership Council in 2022. All these efforts sought to mend the rift and direct the compass towards restoring the state and achieving economic stability, which was severely damaged by the conflict.
Criticism of escalation and unilateral decisions
In a frank tone, Ambassador Al Jaber criticized the exploitation of the southern cause for political gain and narrow personal interests, warning that the marginalization of the people of the southern governorates has harmed their cause and deprived them of important political gains. He highlighted the unilateral decisions made by the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, considering them a breach of his political commitments as a member of the Presidential Leadership Council.
The ambassador clearly pointed to the seriousness of the recent military movements, specifically the attack on the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, and the accompanying security disturbances and intimidation of civilians, describing it as a dangerous precedent that threatens the social fabric and civil peace in those vital areas.
Disrupting diplomatic solutions
Al-Jaber revealed details of the diplomatic efforts exerted by the Kingdom to contain the situation, noting that Riyadh had worked for weeks to end the escalation, withdraw the forces, and hand over the positions to the "Homeland Shield" forces in Hadramawt. However, these efforts were met with persistent intransigence, culminating in Al-Zubaidi's refusal to issue a permit for an official Saudi delegation's plane scheduled to arrive in Aden on January 1, 2026, in addition to directives to close air traffic at Aden Airport, which directly harmed the Yemeni people and disrupted their interests.
A call to prioritize wisdom
The ambassador concluded his remarks by holding Aidarus al-Zubaidi directly responsible for implementing agendas that harm the interests of the people of southern Yemen and create a rift with the Saudi-led coalition. He called on the wise members of the Southern Transitional Council leadership to prioritize reason and wisdom, and to work together to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people in both the north and the south, setting aside narrow personal interests.
