Southern Transitional Council Dissolves Ahead of Riyadh Dialogue
In a significant shift in Yemen's political landscape, the Southern Transitional Council announced its official dissolution on Friday, January 9, 2026, in preparation for its participation in an upcoming southern dialogue conference set to take place in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
This decision followed a comprehensive agreement among the members of the Southern Transitional Council and its affiliated entities to cease the Council's activities, acknowledging the failure of its initial objectives.
The members stated in a released communiqué that the Council had not succeeded in fulfilling the goals for which it was established and had fallen short of meeting the aspirations of the southern populace.
The statement clarified that Council members did not participate in the decision-making regarding the military operations conducted in the Hadramout and Mahra governorates, viewing these actions as detrimental to the southern cause and complicating the political and security situation in the region.
In its final communiqué, the Council called upon various national figures and political leaders active in the south to engage earnestly in the dialogue process, expressing hope that the Riyadh conference would yield a clear vision and comprehensive framework for a fair and lasting solution to the southern issue.
The members of the Southern Transitional Council also expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the upcoming dialogue conference, commending its role in supporting stability efforts and political solutions in Yemen.
The meeting during which the dissolution was announced was attended by Abou Zar'a Al-Mahrami and Ahmed Saïd Ben Brik, underscoring the significance and timely nature of this decision.
This development comes amid rapid changes in Yemen's political scene, signaling the beginning of a new phase focused on dialogue and the reorganization of southern ranks under regional sponsorship.
