Saudi Arabia: The Southern Transitional Council's actions in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra are an escalation that harms Yemen
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterated its rejection of the recent military movements carried out by the Southern Transitional Council in the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra, describing them as a unilateral escalation undertaken without coordination with the relevant legitimate authorities. The Kingdom clarified that these movements were conducted without the approval of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and without any prior coordination with the leadership of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, making them an unjustified step that could have negative repercussions on the overall Yemeni situation.
These developments come at a highly sensitive time for the Yemeni conflict, as international and regional actors seek to unify the ranks within the legitimate government to confront economic and security challenges. The Riyadh Agreement, sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is considered the fundamental framework for integrating military and security formations under the umbrella of the Yemeni Ministries of Defense and Interior. Therefore, any military action outside this framework constitutes a violation of the signed agreements and undermines the efforts to build state institutions led by the Presidential Leadership Council.
The governorates of Hadramawt and Al Mahrah hold immense strategic and geopolitical importance. Hadramawt is the largest governorate in Yemen by area and is rich in oil resources, while Al Mahrah forms Yemen's eastern gateway, bordering the Sultanate of Oman. These two governorates have historically remained relatively untouched by direct military conflicts, making them safe havens for displaced persons and centers of economic activity. Therefore, the transfer of military tensions to these areas threatens to complicate the humanitarian situation and undermine the relative stability enjoyed by the eastern regions.
Observers of Yemeni affairs believe that such unilateral actions only serve to weaken the internal front opposing the Houthi project and to undermine the efforts of the Arab Coalition to end the coup and restore the state. This escalation may also send negative signals to the international community, which is pushing for a comprehensive political solution. Peace requires a unified and strong government partner capable of negotiating and honoring commitments, something the Kingdom is trying to maintain through its continued support for the Presidential Leadership Council.
In concluding its statement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed the necessity of prioritizing reason and the immediate return of forces to their previous positions, affirming that peaceful solutions and dialogue are the only way to overcome internal differences. The Kingdom reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting Yemen and its brotherly people, and to continuing its tireless efforts to restore security and stability, and to supporting the legitimate Yemeni government in reaching a comprehensive political solution that ends the crisis and fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people for development and prosperity.
