RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has invited factions from southern Yemen to Riyadh for talks aimed at ‘discussing just solutions to the southern cause.’
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the conference is called at the request of Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council.
The Kingdom urged all southern factions to actively participate in the conference to develop a comprehensive vision for just solutions to the southern cause that fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the southern people.
The statement affirmed that it is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions, and that the only way to resolve it is through dialogue within the framework of a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
#Statement | In response to the request of H.E. Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, to convene a comprehensive conference in Riyadh to bring together all southern factions to discuss just solutions to the southern cause. pic.twitter.com/uWfJWeth13
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) January 3, 2026
The statement further added that building on the close relation between the two brotherly countries and what shared interests require under the current circumstances, and in continuation of the Kingdom’s efforts to support and strengthen the security and stability of the Republic of Yemen, and to provide a suitable environment for dialogue.
The United Arab Emirates has announced the withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism units from Yemen, saying the decision was taken after a review of recent developments on the ground.
The decision came after Saudi Arabia expressed strong concern over recent actions by the UAE in Yemen, warning that they posed serious risks to Saudi national security and to the stability of Yemen and the wider region.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to an announcement issued on December 25, 2025, saying the Kingdom had been working closely with the UAE to contain escalating developments in the Yemeni governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara.
