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Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Delegation led by Yemen’s main separatist group to travel to Saudi Arabia, sources say
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A delegation led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s main separatist group will soon travel to Saudi Arabia, two sources tell Reuters, a potential sign of progress towards ending a conflict between the separatist UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The conflict, which began early last month, has triggered a major feud between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and fractured a coalition fighting the Houthi terror group.
The Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014 and Gulf countries intervened the following year in support of the internationally recognized government, splitting Yemen into rival zones of control.
The STC has for years been part of that government, which controls southern and eastern Yemen and is backed by Gulf states. But last month STC forces suddenly seized swathes of territory.
Al-Zubaidi’s visit would come days after the internationally recognized government said late on Friday that it had asked Saudi Arabia to host a forum to resolve the southern issue. Riyadh agreed and extended invitations to southern factions.
The STC welcomed the call for dialogue, potentially signaling that all sides now see negotiation as the eventual means of ending the brief conflict.
Government forces backed by Saudi airstrikes on Friday and Saturday took back control of the strategically important Hadramout and Mahra provinces in the east of Yemen.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.