Yemen’s separatist group, Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced its decision to disband following talks in Riyadh talks, according to the group’s Chief Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi.
Subaihi announced in a televised address late on Friday that “the group has been dissolved to preserve peace and security in the south and particularly with Saudi Arabia,” and that peace measures by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would ensure that the “needs and desires of the south will be duly considered and acknowledged”.
In a post on X, Saudi Defence Minister, Khalid bin Salman, welcomed the announcement on the dissolution of the STC, describing it as a “courageous step” towards safeguarding the future of the southern issue.
He said the dissolution would ensure an “inclusive solution for the south under Saudi sponsorship”.
However, in what appear to be deep factions within the group, STC spokesperson, Anwar al-Tamimi, who had fled the country along with the group’s top leader to Abu Dhabi, rejected the announcement made from Saudi Arabia.
In a post on X, al-Tamimi said decisions related to the STC could only be made by the council in its entirety and under its president.
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“This will be done immediately upon the release of the Southern Transitional Council delegation currently in Riyadh. The Council will continue its positive and constructive engagement with all political initiatives in a manner that enables the people of the South to determine their future,” he wrote.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have grown since the STC launched a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops in December.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi out of Yemen to allow fighting to continue in the country.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally-recognised government have viewed recent advances of the rebel group near the Saudi border as a “red line” and a threat to national security.
Saudi-led coalition forces had struck two UAE-based weapons shipments meant for the STC at the Al Mukalla port in Yemen some weeks ago. This was followed by the Yemeni government demanding that the UAE forces leave the country within 24 hours.
In response, the UAE agreed to withdraw all its forces from Yemen, but rejected allegations that Abu Dhabi was supporting the STC against the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia.
The STC, a coalition of groups, was established in April 2017 with the aim of seeking to restore southern Yemen as an independent state.
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