Members of Yemen's STC join talks in Saudi Arabia, aim to advance their call for independent south

(18 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 18 January 2026
1. Various of STC (Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council) members outside meeting room
2. Close of person wearing South Yemen flag pin
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdul Raouf Al-Saqqaf, STC member:
"There is no doubt that today is a historic moment, and we are at a point that requires everyone's cooperation. The southern demand is clear: the restoration of the southern state, as expressed significantly by public gatherings. These meetings come in response to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s invitation and mark an important step in achieving outcomes that meet the aspirations of our people, under the auspices of a South-South dialogue. This is a genuine demand. The regional mediator is very important and is indeed an active partner in achieving outcomes that meet the aspirations of the people in the south."
4. Various of STC meeting in Riyadh
5. STC members during media briefing
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Abdul Aziz Al-Jafri, STC member:
"So the goal is still there. The idea still exists, and we're still struggling and fighting to reach this goal which is the total independence of South Arabia. Our goal is to build up a new country, a federal, democratic country. That (has been the) dream for all southern (people) for decades. The military movement was a step that wasn't calculated very well."
7. Close of person wearing South Yemen flag pin
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Abdul Aziz Al-Jafri, STC member:
"Saudi Arabia (has) never been against the independence of the South. I'm going to tell you with evidence, it was the opposite. Saudi Arabia supported us in 1994, (in the) war when Ali Saleh and his forces attacked, occupied south. We received good support from Saudi Arabia at that time."
13. Delegates at meeting
14. Banner displaying the theme of the Southern Consultative Meeting
STORYLINE:
Members of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) gathered in Riyadh on Thursday for a pivotal round of consultations aimed at advancing the group's long-standing call for southern independence.

The meeting, held under the banner of a "On the path of dialogue" and hosted at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, was described by STC officials as a “historic moment” for the southern movement.

Delegates stressed the importance of regional cooperation in pursuing a political roadmap that reflects popular calls from southern Yemenis.

“There is no doubt that today is a historic moment,” said STC member, Abdul Raouf Al-Saqqaf.

“The southern demand is clear: the restoration of the southern state, as expressed significantly by public gatherings. These meetings come in response to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s invitation and mark an important step in achieving outcomes that meet the aspirations of our people.”

Inside the venue, STC members emphasised unity and reiterated their vision for an independent southern state built on democratic and federal principles.

“The goal is still there,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Jafri, another senior member.

Jafri also pointed to past Saudi support as a sign of regional backing for the southern cause, referencing the 1994 civil war:

“Saudi Arabia has never been against the independence of the South,” he said, adding "it was the opposite. Saudi Arabia supported us in 1994, (in the) war when Ali Saleh (Ali Abdullah Saleh) and his forces attacked, occupied south. We received good support from Saudi Arabia at that time."




AP video by Baraa Anwer

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