The leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, a coalition of strong and well-funded militias, stated on Friday that his top priority in negotiations with the Houthi rebels is the establishment of a separate country.
Aidarous al-Zubaidi’s remarks, given in an interview with The Associated Press, come shortly after the conclusion of significant talks between the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, who leads the coalition fighting against them in Yemen’s civil war. These comments suggest that his group may not agree to a solution that does not include the creation of a separate state.
Al-Zubaidi plays a dual role in Yemeni politics, serving as the country’s vice president and also leading a separatist group that is part of the internationally recognized coalition government based in the southern city of Aden.
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His attendance at the U.N. General Assembly was aimed at amplifying the demand for southern separatism, which has taken a backseat to discussions focused on ending the wider war. Earlier this year, the leader of Yemen’s internationally recognized government dismissed the issue.
Al-Zubaidi explained that the talks in Riyadh were preliminary and confirmed that his transitional council is planning to participate in later stages.
Yemeni Southern Transitional Council head Aidarous al-Zubaidi sits down for an interview, New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
“We are demanding the return of the southern state, with full sovereignty, and this will be achieved through negotiations with the Houthis, which will undoubtedly be lengthy,” al-Zubaidi said from his 40th-floor hotel suite overlooking the U.N. compound. “This is the objective of our negotiation strategy with the Houthis.”
Yemen’s war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and a significant portion of the north. In response, the Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government to power.
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The five-day talks held in Riyadh represented the highest-level public negotiations with the Houthis in Saudi Arabia. The conflict has become entangled in a broader regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and long-time rival Iran.
Al-Zubaidi expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts and highlighted the unwavering support of both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates throughout the prolonged conflict. However, the Gulf powers have found themselves on different sides during periods of internal conflict, with the separatists temporarily gaining control of Aden.
When asked directly whether the UAE provided financing or weapons, he did not provide specific details.
While Al-Zubaidi emphasized that the Yemeni government’s priority is the establishment of a southern state with the same pre-1990 borders, he acknowledged that the final decision would be made by the people. He stated that, in accordance with international law, they will have the right to vote in a referendum to consider alternative options, including a single federal government.
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“I am in New York, just meters away from the United Nations headquarters, and all we are asking for is what is outlined in the laws established by the United Nations itself,” he said. “We have the right to return to the borders that existed before 1990.”
