Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia urged the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen to withdraw its forces from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra in an urgent and orderly manner.

In a statement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia noted that the military movements in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, recently conducted by the Southern Transitional Council, were carried out unilaterally, and without the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council or coordination with the coalition’s leadership. As such, these movements resulted in an unjustified escalation that harmed the interests of all segments of Yemeni people, as well as the Southern cause and the coalition's efforts.

Throughout these recent developments, the Kingdom has prioritized preserving unity and making every effort to reach peaceful solutions to resolve the situation in both governorates. In this context, Saudi Arabia worked with the United Arab Emirates, the president of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government to contain the situation.

Referring to the peace initiative made by the Kingdom and UAE, the statement clarified that a joint military team was sent from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to put the necessary arrangements in place with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden. “These arrangements were made to ensure the return of the Southern Transitional Council forces to their previous positions outside the two governorates and hand over the camps in those areas to the Nation Shield Forces and the local authorities, in accordance with organized procedures under the supervision of the Coalition forces,” it said.
“These efforts remain in progress to restore the situation to its previous state. The Kingdom remains hopeful that the public interest will prevail through ending the escalation by the Southern Transitional Council and the withdrawal of its forces from the two governorates in an urgent and orderly manner,” the statement said.
Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni factions and components to exercise restraint and avoid any measures that could destabilize security and stability, which may result in undesirable consequences. The Kingdom also affirmed the need to make every effort to re-establish peace and the social order.

Saudi Arabia affirmed that the southern cause is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions. It is also one that will be resolved through dialogue among all Yemeni parties within the comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

The Kingdom also reiterated its support for the president, the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government to achieve security, stability, development, and peace in the Republic of Yemen.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia has been exerting great efforts to defuse tension in southern Yemen. A Saudi delegation, led by Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, visited Aden recently in its bid to calm down the situation amid heightened tensions. Hadhramout is currently experiencing significant unrest as the Southern Transitional Council launched a major offensive in early December, largely displacing the Hadhramout Tribal Alliance (HTA) and other government forces in key areas.