Riyadh (South24 Center)

The Saudi Council of Ministers stated on Tuesday (Jan 6) its support for the "legitimate aspirations of Yemenis in the South," reaffirming its welcome for the convening of a comprehensive conference of Southern factions in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The conference aims to reach a framework for just solutions to the South Issue, contributing to the security and stability of Yemen.

The Council added that it has been monitoring the latest developments in the region and Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance the security and stability of the "sisterly Republic of Yemen," to foster a supportive environment for dialogue among all parties, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said in a statement. 

In this context, the cabinet session, chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, also reiterated its welcome for the request made by Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, to hold a comprehensive conference in Riyadh involving various Southern factions

The meeting also discussed several regional issues, including the Palestinian cause.

This position on the South Issue coincides with the imminent launch of the Southern Dialogue in Riyadh. Informed sources told "South24” that the President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidrous Al-Zubaidi is expected to arrive in the Saudi capital within the coming hours.

This follows the arrival of STC Vice President and Commander of the Giants Forces, Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami, in Riyadh on Monday. 

Al-Muharrami met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman for consultations regarding the latest developments in Yemen. 

Al-Muharrami stated that the meeting involved an exchange of views on the Yemeni development, foremost of which is the South Issue, alongside discussing ways to strengthen joint efforts to support stability in Yemen and the region.

These movements come within the context of the Saudi call, announced earlier this week, for a comprehensive Southern dialogue in Riyadh, a call that has received wide regional and local welcome and has been embraced by several Southern components.

Previously, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs had emphasized, following developments in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, that the South Issue is a "just cause with historical and social dimensions" that can only be addressed through dialogue within a comprehensive political settlement.

The Saudi position comes days after Riyadh launched intense airstrikes targeting the Southern Armed Forces affiliated with the STC in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra. 

These strikes resulted in dozens of casualties, coinciding with the deployment of Riyadh-backed Northern forces in Hadramout, according to sources.

The Saudi strikes forced Southern Government Forces to withdraw from both Governorates, opening the door to chaos, security collapse, and extensive looting carried out by local citizens and gunmen who arrived with the Northern forces, as well as tribesmen from the governorates of Marib and Al-Jawf. 

Media in South Yemen described the Saudi attacks as an "aggression", while Southern residents also expressed their condemnation and shock at the Saudi attacks, which they termed "treacherous" against a presumed ally that fought alongside the Coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi militia.