[30/12/2025 01:00]

RIYADH - SABA
His Excellency President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and Commander-in-Chief, chaired today, Tuesday, a meeting of the National Defense Council (NDC), in the presence of the members of the PLC Sultan al-Arada, Dr. Abdullah al-Alimi and Othman Majli.

The meeting included the Speaker of the Parliament Sheikh Sultan al-Barakani, the Prime Minister Salem bin Braik, the Chairman of the Shoura Council Dr. Ahmed bin Dagher, the Deputy Speakers of Parliament and the Shoura Council, the Commission for Consultation and Reconciliation and members of the NDC of the ministers, the heads of military and security bodies and the Governor of Hadhramaut governorate Salem al-Khanbashi.

The meeting devoted to discuss the serious developments in the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra governorates, in light of the military escalation by the South Transitional Council (STC) and its repercussions on security, stability and the unity of the country's sovereign decision-making.

The meeting reviewed detailed reports on field developments and the serious violations against civilians that accompanied the STC's military movements, including attacks on armed forces sites, public and private property and even the closure of Seioun Airport, in clear violation of the transitional phase references, namely the Declaration of Power Transfer, the Riyadh Agreement and the de-escalation efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The NDC reiterated its characterization of the STC's military movements , describing them an outright rebellion against the legitimate state institutions, a undermining of the unity of military and security decision-making and a direct threat to civil peace, which serves the interests of the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias.

The NDC applauded the decisions of the Chairman of the PLC, the Commander-in-Chief, which included declaring a state of emergency and ending the UAE presence in Yemen, as these decisions embodied the constitutional responsibilities of the state leadership in protecting civilians, preserving national institutions and upholding their legal standing, while reaffirming the absolute rejection of attempts to impose a fait accompli by force or use weapons to achieve political gains.

The NDC called on the UAE to fully adhere to the text and spirit of the decisions of the Yemeni state leadership, respect its sovereignty, refrain from interfering in its internal affairs, and cease any military or logistical support for any formations outside the framework of the state.

The NDC asserted that what was stated in the statement of the Command of the Joint Forces of the Coalition supporting legitimacy regarding arms shipments that arrived at Mukalla port without authorization represents a serious escalation and a clear violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The NDC reaffirmed that the Southern cause is a just national issue, with its historical and social dimensions, and will remain a matter of steadfast commitment by the state leadership, at the core of any comprehensive political settlement, in accordance with the references of the transitional phase, ensuring genuine partnership, fair redress of grievances, and achieving the aspirations of all the sons of the southern governorates without monopoly or exclusion.

The NDC also reaffirmed its full support for the mediation efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and restore the situation in the Hadhramaut and al-Mahrah governorates to what it was, in a manner that preserves their security, stability and social peace.

The NDC highly appreciated the sincere fraternal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting Yemen and its constitutional legitimacy and in defending its security and stability.

The meeting affirmed the state's continuation in combating terrorism as a sovereign decision exercised by its competent institutions in accordance with the constitution and the law, praising in this context the achievements realized over the past years in dismantling terrorist cells, combating the smuggling of weapons and drugs, and rejecting the use of the terrorism file as a pretext to justify escalation or undermine state institution

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