Behind-the-Scenes Mediation Brings Riyadh and the Southern Transitional Council Together for the First Time

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

In a notable political development, Abu Zara’a Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami, Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This marks the first publicly announced meeting of its kind between the Saudi leadership and a senior figure from the STC.

Al-Muharrami announced the meeting via a post on his account on the “X” platform, without disclosing details about the substance of the discussions or the issues addressed during the meeting.

Political Groundwork Preceded the Meeting

Al-Muharrami’s meeting came days after a meeting that brought together Tareq Saleh and the Saudi defense minister—a move observers viewed as political groundwork for engagement with STC leaders, amid recent tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on the Yemeni scene.

Tareq Saleh at the Center of the Debate

In the same context, social media activists circulated analyses suggesting that Tareq Saleh played a mediating role between Saudi Arabia and UAE-aligned forces, describing his moves as an attempt to mend relations between Riyadh and the STC following recent military confrontations in southern Yemen.

Questions Over Al-Zubaidi’s Future

Al-Muharrami’s meeting also sparked widespread speculation about the future of relations between the Saudi leadership and STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, amid questions over whether Riyadh has imposed an undeclared political veto on him following the swift battle witnessed in southern governorates between Saudi-backed forces and those supported by the UAE.

Reordering the Landscape

Analysts believe these meetings reflect a Saudi inclination to reshuffle alliance cards in Yemen, against the backdrop of escalating disagreements within the coalition camp and efforts to contain divisions in a way that serves regional interests and prevents further escalation in the south.