Gulf Leaders Reiterate Support for Yemen’s Unity, Condemn Iran’s Interference and Arms Smuggling to Houthis

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have reaffirmed their full support for the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen to ensure the country’s security and stability, and to preserve its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. They stressed their adherence to the three references for a political solution: the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

The GCC Supreme Council, in a statement issued during its 46th session in Bahrain, affirmed support for the efforts of the United Nations and its Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to reach a comprehensive political solution. It commended the Yemeni Government’s commitment to the truce and its peace efforts, calling on all parties to implement the related procedures for a ceasefire, improve living conditions, and resume the political process under UN auspices.

The statement condemned the Houthis’ continued seizure of property belonging to the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, as well as the targeting of civilian and commercial facilities, including the Dutch commercial vessel MINERVAGRACHT, and the smuggling of weapons originating from Iran to the Houthi militia.

The Council also praised the seizure of large arms shipments in recent months, as well as Saudi Arabia’s efforts in providing economic and developmental support to the Yemeni government. This support includes funding the general budget, petroleum derivatives, and vital projects in various governorates, alongside humanitarian relief programs and institutional capacity development.

This Gulf affirmation of Yemen’s unity comes amid the escalating military and political influence of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which calls for the separation of South Yemen from the North. The STC continues to expand its influence in several southern governorates, including Hadramout, amidst rising local tensions between STC forces and the internationally recognized Yemeni Army forces.