JAKARTA – Saudi Arabia has announced its support for a diplomatic initiative to address ongoing tensions in southern Yemen, following a formal request from Yemen’s presidential leadership.

The Saudi foreign ministry issued a statement early Saturday expressing its backing for the proposed forum, which would bring together various southern Yemeni factions in the kingdom’s capital. The initiative comes from Yemen’s Saudi-backed presidential council, which is seeking a structured platform to tackle the complex southern question that has long complicated Yemen’s political landscape.

In its official response, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry encouraged all relevant southern factions to take part in the Riyadh gathering. The ministry emphasized the forum’s goal of developing “a comprehensive vision for fair solutions to the southern cause,” signaling the kingdom’s commitment to facilitating dialogue among Yemen’s divided groups.

The announcement represents another step in regional efforts to stabilize Yemen, which has endured years of conflict and political fragmentation. By hosting the forum, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a mediator in addressing the grievances and aspirations of southern Yemeni communities.

The success of such a forum would depend heavily on participation from key stakeholders and their willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations toward a lasting resolution.

Original Article:

CGTN. (2026, January 3). Saudi Arabia welcomes request from Yemen’s presidential council for forum to resolve southern issue.  Retrieved from https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-03/news-1JD3jjHkuHK/p.html