ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday welcomed the call by Yemen’s PresidentialLeadership Council for comprehensive political dialogue in Riyadh among allfactions, amid heightened tensions in the southern regions. The ForeignOffice statement came shortly after a limited airstrike by the Saudi-ledcoalition targeted weapons shipments destined for southern forces,highlighting the fragile state of the anti-Houthi alliance. Thisdevelopment follows a request from Presidential Leadership CouncilPresident Rashad al-Alimi to Saudi Arabia to convene a conferenceaddressing the southern cause. Pakistan urged all Yemeni stakeholders toengage in good faith negotiations toward a political solution, emphasizingits consistent position on preserving Yemen’s territorial integrity.
The recent events trace back to early December when the UAE-backed SouthernTransitional Council launched a swift offensive, seizing control oversignificant territories including the oil-rich Hadramaut and Al-Mahraprovinces. These areas, which border Saudi Arabia and constitute nearlyhalf of Yemen’s landmass, have become a flashpoint for competing interestswithin the coalition originally formed in 2015 to counter the Iran-backedHouthis. The advance by the Southern Transitional Council promptedaccusations of fueling division, leading to military responses that havestrained relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
A pivotal incident occurred when coalition forces conducted a limitedairstrike on the port city of Mukalla, targeting two shipments of weaponsand military equipment allegedly unloaded from vessels originating from theUAE. Coalition spokespersons stated that the arms were intended to bolsterSouthern Transitional Council forces in Hadramaut and Al-Mahra, with theexplicit aim of escalating the conflict. The strike followed reports thatthe ships had disabled tracking devices, raising concerns over unauthorizedmilitary support that threatened regional stability. This action precededannouncements of troop withdrawals and heightened diplomatic exchanges.
In response to the evolving crisis, Rashad al-Alimi formally requestedSaudi authorities to host an inclusive conference in Riyadh, bringingtogether all southern Yemeni factions without exception. The Saudi ForeignMinistry promptly welcomed the proposal, calling upon Southern TransitionalCouncil and other groups to participate actively in developing acomprehensive vision for just solutions to the southern cause. Thisinitiative builds on previous Saudi-sponsored efforts, including the 2019Riyadh Agreement and subsequent consultations, aimed at fostering unityunder agreed national and international frameworks such as UN SecurityCouncil resolutions.
Pakistan’s endorsement of these talks reflects its longstanding diplomaticapproach to the Yemeni conflict. The Foreign Office reiterated itssteadfast support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, a positionconsistently articulated in previous statements amid the decade-long war.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reinforcedthis stance through separate telephone conversations with Saudi ForeignMinister Faisal bin Farhan and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed AlNahyan. These discussions highlighted appreciation for efforts to resolvethe situation amicably, underscoring dialogue as the path to tangibleoutcomes on the ground.
The Yemeni crisis has fractured the anti-Houthi coalition, exposingunderlying rivalries between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates overinfluence in the south. While Saudi Arabia prioritizes maintaining Yemen’sunity to safeguard its borders, the UAE has historically supported southernaspirations for greater autonomy or self-determination. Recent separatistdeclarations by the Southern Transitional Council, including plans for areferendum on independence within two years, have intensified fears offragmentation. Such moves could complicate ongoing de-escalation with theHouthis and exacerbate humanitarian challenges in a country alreadygrappling with famine and displacement.
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Pakistan’s measured response aligns with its broader foreign policy ofavoiding direct involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts while maintainingstrong ties with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Islamabad has historicallyprovided logistical support to the coalition without committing groundforces, balancing relations with Gulf partners and its proximity to Iran.The latest statement urges restraint and good-faith engagement, reflectinghope that the proposed Riyadh conference could pave the way for anegotiated settlement. Analysts view this as a critical opportunity toaddress southern grievances through inclusive dialogue rather than militaryescalation.
As the region watches the outcome of these diplomatic overtures, thesuccess of the Riyadh initiative will depend on genuine participation fromall factions. Failure to achieve consensus could prolong instability,allowing external actors to exploit divisions. Pakistan’s reaffirmation ofYemen’s sovereignty serves as a reminder of the international consensus onpreserving territorial integrity, amid calls for a comprehensive politicalresolution under United Nations auspices.
Source: https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2628156/pakistan
Tags: Pakistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Southern Transitional Council, Rashadal-Alimiogimageimage_name
