RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said the Riyadh conference on Yemen would seek to find a comprehensive vision for just solutions in the south.

Through a statement on his official X account, the minister said the Kingdom would form a preparatory committee in consultation with southern figures to prepare for the conference in which figures from all southern provinces will participate without exclusion or discrimination. 

“The Kingdom will support the outcomes of the conference to be presented on the table of the comprehensive political solution dialogue in Yemen,” he said.

The Yemeni separatist group Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced on Friday its dissolution following talks in Saudi Arabia.

Several STC members are in Riyadh for discussions on ending unrest in southern Yemen. 

The group praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts, while former STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi, now wanted by the Presidential Council for high treason, has fled Yemen and has not participated in the talks.

Saudi defense minister commended STC’s decision.

“The decision taken by the southern figures and leaderships to dissolve the Transitional Council was a courageous decision intent on the future of the southern cause and an encouragement for the participation of the rest of the sons of the south in the Riyadh Conference in service of their cause,” he added.

أصبح لقضية الجنوب مسار حقيقي ترعاه المملكة ويدعمه ويؤيده المجتمع الدولي عبر مؤتمر الرياض، الذي نسعى من خلاله لجمع إخوتنا أبناء الجنوب؛ لإيجاد تصور شامل للحلول العادلة بما يلبي إرادتهم وتطلعاتهم.

— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 9, 2026