UPDATE 2 – Gulf states back de-escalation efforts in Yemen, urge respect for country’s sovereignty, stability

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS FROM QATAR, KUWAIT, REVISES HEADLINE

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Gulf countries voiced support on Tuesday for de-escalation efforts in Yemen, calling for restraint and respect for the country’s sovereignty and stability.

In a statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry said Muscat is closely following developments in Yemen and “continues to call for self-restraint and for the voice of wisdom to prevail,” through dialogue and efforts to reach “the desired fraternal understanding” that serves Yemen’s security and the national security of neighboring states.

It reiterated support for positions calling to “reduce tensions, contain escalation, and address the causes of the crisis from its roots,” stressing the importance of respecting Yemen’s sovereignty, security, stability, and the will of its people.

The ministry also underscored the need to reach “consensual political solutions that help achieve peace and harmony for all parties.”

The Bahraini Foreign Ministry expressed deep appreciation for the pivotal role played by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in supporting Yemen’s security and stability.

It affirmed its “confidence in the wisdom of the leaderships of Saudi Arabia and the UAE and their ability to contain any differences in views within the framework of the single Gulf house.”

The ministry reiterated support for all regional and international initiatives and efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive and lasting political solution in Yemen, “in a manner that preserves Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and achieves security, stability, and sustainable prosperity for its brotherly people.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry affirmed “its full support for the legitimate Yemeni government,” underlining “the importance of preserving Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, safeguarding the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people and realizing their aspirations for security, stability and development.”

It stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council states is an “inseparable part” of Qatar’s security.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry also said it is closely following developments in Yemen and underlined its firm support for the legitimate Yemeni government.

It stressed the need “to preserve Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity and protect the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people, in a manner that ensures achieving their aspirations for security, stability and development.”

The ministry reaffirmed that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries “constitutes a fundamental pillar of Kuwait’s national security.”

The situation has escalated in southern Yemen early this month after the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the country’s main separatist group, took control of the eastern provinces of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra after clashes with government forces.

The escalation spiked further early Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia calling the UAE’s actions “a threat to its national security.”

In response, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi cancelled a joint defense pact with the UAE and gave a 24-hour deadline for the UAE forces to withdraw.

The STC repeatedly claims that successive governments have politically and economically marginalized southern regions and calls for their separation from the north — claims rejected by the Yemeni authorities, as they insist on preserving the country’s territorial unity.