Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced its rejection of Saudi mediation concerning the withdrawal of its forces from Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates, reaffirming its adherence to its declared positions and its deployment in the eastern provinces.
In statements to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper, STC spokesperson Anwar Al-Tamimi said that understandings were reached with the Saudi-Emirati delegation to avoid escalation in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates. A range of ideas were discussed, and the Arab Coalition delegation returned to consult with their leadership. The atmosphere was described as positive and realistic.
Al-Tamimi denied reports by Saudi media outlets about an understanding on the withdrawal of STC forces from Hadramawt and Al-Mahra. He indicated that discussions with the Saudi-Emirati delegation focused on principles for de-escalation and reaching common ground.
Al-Tamimi stated, “The issue of remaining in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra is subject to operational assessments on the ground. The matter of the sons of Hadramawt assuming responsibility is settled, and there is no objection from any southern force to this principle. The presence of southern forces is to support them in covering these vast areas.”
In a related context, Monte Carlo International radio reported on Saturday, citing a source in the STC, that the Council refused to withdraw from Hadramawt and Al-Mahra governorates during talks with a Saudi-Emirati delegation attempting to contain the STC’s advance in southern Yemen.
The UAE-backed STC has recently taken control of large parts of southern governorates. While seizing most of Hadramawt, the country’s largest governorate, the Council’s fighters pushed government forces, traditionally backed by Saudi Arabia, into the neighboring Marib governorate.
On Friday evening, a Saudi-Emirati delegation arrived at the presidential palace in Yemen’s temporary capital, Aden, as part of moves described as urgent to contain escalating tensions in the eastern provinces and push STC forces to withdraw from areas they recently seized.
The STC had stated on Friday evening that its President, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, met with “the leadership of the joint forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, headed by Major General Sultan Al-Anzi and Major General Awad Al-Ahbabi,” in the government’s temporary capital, Aden. However, the delegation left Aden without any official announcement regarding the results of its meeting with the STC president.
