Saudi Arabia is set to host a high-stakes conference that could determine the future of southern Yemen, following a sudden reversal in fortunes for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that had dominated the region for nearly a decade.
In a stunning turn of events, the STC announced its dissolution just hours after Saudi Arabia intervened militarily to quell what Riyadh claimed was a threat to national security. The intervention marked a significant escalation in the kingdom's involvement in Yemen's ongoing civil war, which has pitted the internationally recognized government against various rebel factions.
The STC's rapid collapse raises questions about the extent of Saudi influence over southern Yemen and whether the kingdom is attempting to shore up its position in the region through a combination of military might and diplomatic maneuvering. A conference featuring key players from across southern Yemen, facilitated by Riyadh, could potentially set the stage for a new era of stability – or exacerbate divisions that have long plagued the region.
With Saudi Arabia now firmly at the helm, questions remain about whether the kingdom's plans for southern Yemen will ultimately serve its own long-term strategic interests. The implications are significant, with Yemen's southern region boasting vast oil reserves and fertile agricultural land.
In a stunning turn of events, the STC announced its dissolution just hours after Saudi Arabia intervened militarily to quell what Riyadh claimed was a threat to national security. The intervention marked a significant escalation in the kingdom's involvement in Yemen's ongoing civil war, which has pitted the internationally recognized government against various rebel factions.
The STC's rapid collapse raises questions about the extent of Saudi influence over southern Yemen and whether the kingdom is attempting to shore up its position in the region through a combination of military might and diplomatic maneuvering. A conference featuring key players from across southern Yemen, facilitated by Riyadh, could potentially set the stage for a new era of stability – or exacerbate divisions that have long plagued the region.
With Saudi Arabia now firmly at the helm, questions remain about whether the kingdom's plans for southern Yemen will ultimately serve its own long-term strategic interests. The implications are significant, with Yemen's southern region boasting vast oil reserves and fertile agricultural land.