RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, in his first comment following the announcement of the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), stated that the move aligns with the public interest. He affirmed that “the southern issue now has a genuine path, sponsored by the Kingdom and supported by the international community through the Riyadh Conference, through which we aim to bring together our southern brothers to develop a comprehensive vision for just solutions that meet their will and aspirations.”

In a post on the platform X, the Defense Minister added, “The Kingdom will form a preparatory committee in consultation with southern figures to organize the conference, which will include participants from all southern governorates without exclusion or discrimination. The Kingdom will support the outcomes of the conference so they can be presented at the table of the comprehensive political solution dialogue in Yemen.”

He concluded by saying, “The decision taken by southern figures and leaders to dissolve the Transitional Council was a courageous one, driven by concern for the future of the southern cause and aimed at encouraging broader southern participation in the Riyadh Conference in service of their cause.”

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