Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman stated in a message addressed to the people of Yemen on Saturday that the Kingdom responded to the request of the legitimate Yemeni government and rallied coalition countries to participate in Operations Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope. This was aimed at restoring the Yemeni state’s control over all its territories, while emphasizing the pivotal role of liberating the southern provinces in achieving this goal.
He added that Saudi Arabia views the southern issue from a just political perspective, far from escalating conflicts. It included all Yemeni components in the Riyadh Conference to determine a clear path for a comprehensive political solution, including addressing the southern issue through the Riyadh Agreement. This agreement affirmed the participation of southerners in centers of power and opened the door for a national dialogue to end differences.
He pointed to the Kingdom’s support for the peaceful transfer of power, which achieved effective representation for southerners in state institutions. This was alongside providing economic and humanitarian aid and developmental plans to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and enhance their resilience in facing challenges.
Bin Salman also highlighted the sacrifices made by the Kingdom and coalition countries alongside the people of Yemen during the liberation of Aden and other provinces. He affirmed that the goal was to restore the state, not to open the door to new internal conflicts, while rejecting the exploitation of these sacrifices for narrow interests. He explained that recent developments in Hadramawt and Al Mahra provinces have caused a rift in the national ranks, leading to the waste of efforts and sacrifices made.
The Saudi Minister mentioned the wise roles played by some southern leaders in supporting de-escalation efforts and restoring security in the two provinces. He stressed their awareness of the importance of unity to face national challenges and not giving opportunities to those lying in wait.
The Defense Minister concluded by calling on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to prioritize the voice of wisdom and national interest. He urged them to respond to the Saudi-Emirati mediation efforts to end the escalation and to withdraw their forces peacefully from the camps and hand them over to the Homeland Shield forces. This would support the path of a comprehensive political solution and enhance confidence-building among all Yemenis.
