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Yemen Separatists Disband Amid Saudi Talks
9 Jan
Summary
- Southern separatists disband to preserve peace and security.
- Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts were praised by the group.
- A rift emerged within the separatist group during Riyadh talks.
Yemen's prominent southern separatists, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), have announced their decision to disband. This significant move was declared on Friday by STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al-Subaihi, who stated the dissolution aims to safeguard peace and security within southern Yemen and its surrounding nations. He specifically lauded Saudi Arabia's role in mediating the situation and offering solutions beneficial to the region's populace.
Despite the official announcement, a clear division has surfaced within the STC. Reports indicated a loss of contact with members participating in the Riyadh talks, suggesting internal discord. This internal friction emerged following a dispute involving Saudi Arabia and the UAE, particularly after the STC launched an offensive against Yemeni government forces in December, a move Riyadh attributed to Abu Dhabi's backing.
The situation escalated on Thursday when the Saudi-led coalition alleged that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi had fled to the UAE. The coalition claimed he bypassed the Riyadh talks and accused the UAE of facilitating his departure from the country via Somaliland, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
