Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Muhammad Al-Jaber said on Friday that the efforts of the Kingdom and the Emirates are the main pillar in ending the crisis in some of the governorates of southern Yemen.

In a tweet, Al-Jaber confirmed that the Kingdom and the Coalition countries are focusing on achieving security and stability and supporting the legitimate government.

He added: “The Kingdom appreciates the sacrifices and bravery of the sons of southern Yemen in confronting the Iran-backed Houthi militias in all fronts. The sons of southern Yemen, along with their brethren in all the Yemeni national forces are spearheading the fight against the evil Iranian scheme in Yemen.”

He further said: “The Kingdom realizes the dimensions and complexities of the Southern Cause and its impact on the course of recent incidents in Aden, Abyan and Shabwah. We realize the difficulties the parties in the “Jeddah Dialogue” are facing and we value everybody’s keenness to engage in dialogue and avoid bloodshed”.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia reiterated that any attempt to destabilize Yemen is a threat to the security and stability of the Kingdom and the region, and will not hesitate to deal with it firmly.

In a statement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom affirmed its firm position that there is no alternative to the legitimate government in Yemen and that it does not accept any attempts to create a ‘new reality’ in Yemen by using force or threat of force.

“The Kingdom will not accept any military escalation or open-sided battles that benefit only the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia and other outfits such as Daesh (so-called IS) and Al-Qaeda,” the statement said.

The statement also announced the Kingdom’s readiness to extend a helping hand to those affected by this strife and to contribute to the treatment of the injured to alleviate their pain and suffering, emanating from its historic role of supporting the Yemeni people.

Expressing its regret at the outbreak of sedition among the people in Yemen, the Kingdom stressed the need for full, immediate and unconditional commitment to disengage and ceasefire, and halt any violations or practices affecting the lives of the Yemeni people.

“The Kingdom follows up on the latest developments in Aden and the southern governorates and expresses its complete rejection of the recent escalation and the course of events, and the consequences of such events, and the failure to respond to the Kingdom’s previous call to stop the escalation and move towards dialogue.

“The Kingdom reiterates its earlier positions, which were expressed since the beginning of the crisis, that it is inevitable to restore the camps and the headquarters of the state military and civilian institutions to the legitimate government,” the statement said while calling all parties involved in the conflict and the legitimate government to engage in the Jeddah dialogue immediately and without any delay.

The statement also affirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for the Yemeni legitimate government under the leadership of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and its efforts to preserve the interests of the Yemeni state and its people, as well as the security, stability and territorial integrity of the country.

It also vowed full support to counter the coup of the Houthi terrorist militia and to fight against other terrorist organizations.