Abu dhabi: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani engaged in crucial discussions with leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh over the Yemen conflict. The conversations occurred against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic friction and military activity in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Sheikh Tamim held a phone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to deliberate on regional developments and matters of mutual interest, as reported by the Emirati state news agency WAM. In a parallel effort to address regional issues, the Qatari emir also communicated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing both regional and international concerns of mutual interest, as well as bilateral relations, according to the Qatari state news agency QNA.
The diplomatic engagements follow a recent accusation by Saudi Arabia against the UAE, alleging that it had incited the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen to conduct military operations near Saudi Arabia's southern border. In response, the UAE rejected these accusations, asserting its dedication to Saudi Arabia's security. The situation in southern Yemen has been particularly tense, with STC forces recently seizing control of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra provinces in eastern Yemen after confrontations with government forces, areas that together constitute nearly half of Yemen's landmass.
In a related development, Yemen's presidential council took a decisive step on Tuesday by annulling a joint defense agreement with the UAE, mandating the withdrawal of all Emirati forces from Yemen within a 24-hour timeframe, and instituting a 90-day state of emergency. The council cited these measures as necessary to counteract what it described as attempts to divide the nation.
The STC has consistently argued that southern regions have faced political and economic marginalization by successive Yemeni governments, advocating for their separation from the north. However, Yemeni authorities have rejected these claims, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the country's territorial integrity.