Saudi Arabia expresses regret over UAE pressure on STC forces

Logo of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today, Dec. 30, regarding the sincere efforts by the Kingdom, in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to end and address the escalation by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahrah.

With reference to the statement issued by the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and by the leadership of the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the movement of ships loaded with weapons and heavy vehicles from the UAE’s Port of Fujairah to Yemen's Mukalla port without obtaining official permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition.

Saudi Arabia expressed regret over the actions taken by the UAE in exerting pressure on the STC forces to push them to carry out military operations along the Kingdom’s southern borders in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahrah.

Such actions constitute a threat to the Kingdom’s national security, as well as to security and stability in Yemen and the region.

The Kingdom noted that the steps taken by the UAE are extremely dangerous, are inconsistent with the foundations upon which the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve its efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

In this regard, the Kingdom affirms that any infringement upon or threat to its national security is a red line, and that it will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize such threats.

The Kingdom also reaffirmed its commitment to Yemen’s security, stability, and sovereignty. It reiterated that the Southern cause is a just issue with historical and social dimensions, and that the only way to address it is through dialogue within a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, in which all Yemeni parties, including the STC, will participate.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of the UAE responding to Yemen’s request for the withdrawal of its military forces within twenty-four hours, and for the cessation of any military or financial support to any party inside Yemen.