Saudi Arabia will host an inclusive conference, convening all southern Yemeni factions in Riyadh to discuss peaceful and just solutions to the southern cause.
In a statement on Saturday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that the Kingdom “calls upon all southern factions to actively participate in the conference to develop a comprehensive vision for just solutions to the southern cause that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of the southern people.”
Convening Southern Factions
The conference comes in response to a request by the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, who asked Riyadh to hold a comprehensive conference for all southern factions to “discuss just solutions to the southern cause.”
According to the statement, this move aligns with Saudi Arabia‘s position on the southern cause, affirming on December 30, 2025 that it is a just cause with historical and social dimensions, and that the only way to resolve it is through dialogue within the framework of a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
Furthermore, it builds on the close relations between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and the two countries’ shared interests in light of the current circumstances.
It also comes in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to support and strengthen the security and stability of Yemen and foster a favorable environment for dialogue, the statement added.
PLC’s Call for Dialogue
On Friday, January 2, 2026, the PLC President Al-Alimi submitted a request to Saudi Arabia to host and sponsor a comprehensive conference in Riyadh to “agree on a comprehensive national framework to address the Southern Cause in a just and inclusive manner,” according to the President’s official website.
The conference will include all southern components, forces, and figures without exception, including the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The move comes in response to appeals by Yemeni citizens and components of the southern governorates, and as an extension of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting Yemen and its people, and in providing a conducive environment for serious and responsible dialogue that leads to practical and sustainable outcomes.
Moreover, Al-Alimi stressed that the southern cause must be solved through a responsible dialogue process, and institutional approaches based on agreed national, regional, and international frameworks.
These include the outcomes of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference, the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, the Riyadh Agreement, GCC-sponsored Yemeni consultations, the Declaration of Transfer of Power, and relevant international resolutions.
How Situation in Yemen Unfolded
In early December 2025, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces carried out unilateral military actions to expand its presence in eastern Yemen, taking control of strategic sites in Hadramout and Mahra, and pushing the internationally recognized government from its headquarters in Aden.
Despite repeated calls from Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia for the STC to withdraw its forces and hand over power to the Nation Shield Forces and local authorities to maintain regional stability, the STC did not heed warnings.
These dangerous actions prompted the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen to conduct a limited airstrike targeting weapons shipments transported to Mukalla port from the Port of Fujairah in the UAE without obtaining permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition.
Saudi Arabia stated that the STC actions constitute a threat to its national security and regional stability, expressing disappointment in the UAE’s “highly dangerous” moves in Yemen.
Moreover, Al-Alimi cancelled a joint defense agreement with the UAE, requesting all Emirati military forces to withdraw from the country within 24 hours and hand over camps to the Nation Shield Forces.
In response, the UAE Defense Ministry announced the termination of its remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen voluntarily.
Arab Support
Arab and Gulf countries have shown firm support for Saudi Arabia, backing its measures to protect its national security and safeguard the stability and unity of Yemen.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, stressed that Saudi Arabia’s security is integral to the Gulf collective security, praising the responsible approach of the Kingdom and the UAE and their commitment to regional stability.
Similarly, Egypt, Jordan and Somalia supported the Kingdom’s measures to maintain the stability of Yemen, commending the wisdom of Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s leaderships in addressing the situation in a manner that preserves Arab unity.
