Qatar urges dialogue in Yemen as southern separatists expand control

Qatar has issued a public appeal for dialogue to resolve Yemen's internal conflicts, urging all Yemeni factions to prioritize peaceful means and avoid further escalation. In a statement on Thursday, Doha expressed full support for efforts aimed at achieving peace and societal security in the war-torn country, which is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Support for Government and Regional Mediation

The Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed the necessity of "close cooperation among all Yemeni parties" to preserve Yemen's unity and territorial integrity. It reiterated support for the legitimate Yemeni government, represented by the Presidential Leadership Council, and backed the de-escalation efforts led by regional powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This diplomatic intervention highlights ongoing concerns about Yemen's fragile stability.

Recent Military Escalations

The call for calm follows significant military developments on the ground. Since early December, forces belonging to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group, have taken control of parts of the eastern province of Hadramout and later expanded into Mahra province. These two provinces together constitute nearly half of Yemen's territory. The takeover has triggered widespread local and regional calls for the STC to withdraw its forces to their previous positions.

International Concerns and Mediation Efforts

In response to the escalating situation, a joint Saudi-Emirati military team was dispatched to Aden to negotiate arrangements for a pullback. The United Nations has warned that continued military escalation could have dire consequences for Yemen's population, already suffering from one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. Türkiye, which consistently advocates for political solutions, national unity, and sovereignty in regional conflicts, views the preservation of Yemen's territorial integrity as crucial and supports all diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the suffering of the Yemeni people.