Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen's South to Join Critical Talks

Saudi Arabia has officially supported a call for new peace talks in Yemen. The talks were requested by Yemen's internationally recognized president. President Rashad al-Alimi leads the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). The PLC is Yemen's official government, based in the southern city of Aden. In a statement, Saudi Arabia said it welcomes al-Alimi's request to hold the discussions in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The kingdom also urged all factions from southern Yemen to attend the conference "actively." The goal of the planned talks is to create a complete framework for what Saudi officials called "just solutions." This push for negotiations comes as Yemen remains divided. The Iran-backed Houthi group controls the north, including the capital Sanaa. The south is under the influence of the PLC and other groups. Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that has backed the PLC in Yemen's long civil war. By urging southern groups to the table, Riyadh is trying to unite anti-Houthi factions. A unified position could strengthen their side in any future peace negotiations.