Aden (South24)

A high-level delegation from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in South Yemen flew to Moscow on Sunday for talks with Russian officials.

The delegation, led by STC chairman Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, will hold talks with government officials and members of the Russian parliament on a host of files, the STC said in a statement, without elaborating.

The STC said the visit comes upon an invitation from the Russian government.

Al-Zoubaidi also renewed, in a televised statement on Aden International channel, upon his arrival in the Russian capital, Moscow.

He renewed the pledge to the southerns to lead them on a safe path to achieve their aspirations and hopes and restore the state.

The Russian ambassador to Yemen, Vladimir Didushkin, said on Sunday that Moscow is concerned and interested in the full implementation of the Riyadh agreements on Yemen.

In an interview with TASS, the ambassador indicated that the delegation is expected to hold meetings at the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Duma and the Federation. During this, issues related to the Yemeni crisis will be discussed, with a focus on implementing the Riyadh Agreement.

"We proceed from the fact that the visit will contribute to Russia's efforts to launch the political process there, and to resume negotiations between the Yemeni parties under the auspices of the United Nations, in which representatives of the STC of Yemen must participate for the first time," Didushkin said.

Informed sources told "SOUTH24" that the southern delegation is scheduled to meet high-level Russian leaders, but they did not mention their names, because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Formed in 2017, the STC controls large areas of southern Yemen, including the temporary capital Aden and Socotra province.

However, the Yemeni Presidency announced on Dec. 18, 2020 the formation of a new Yemeni parity government which included ministers nominated by the STC.

The new government was formed based on the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the STC, which put an end to military clashes between forces of both parties.

Yemen has fallen into civil war in 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran much of northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa. A year later, Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen to roll back Houthi military gains.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the conflict in Yemen has so far claimed the lives of 233,000 people.

Source: South24, RT, AA, Tass