Pakistan backs Saudi and UAE-led efforts for peace in Yemen

Pakistan on Saturday expressed its full support for diplomatic efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote peace and stability in the Republic of Yemen, while also commending the role of the United Arab Emirates in this regard.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan said it was closely monitoring recent developments in Yemen and underscored the importance of preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

The spokesperson urged all Yemeni stakeholders to refrain from unilateral actions that could further escalate tensions, and called on all parties to engage constructively and in good faith toward an inclusive, negotiated political settlement based on agreed parameters.

Pakistan voiced hope that the ongoing diplomatic initiatives would translate into concrete steps toward lasting peace and help alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, the statement added.

A day earlier, the UAE's Foreign Ministry stated that the United Arab Emirates welcomes Saudi Arabia's efforts to support security and stability in Yemen and remains committed to backing stability in the country.

Yemen's main southern separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has pushed the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government from its headquarters in Aden while claiming broad control across the south earlier this month.

"The UAE reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting all endeavors aimed at strengthening stability and development in Yemen," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it remains hopeful that STC will end the escalation and withdraw its forces from the eastern provinces of Hadramout and Mahra.

A joint Saudi-Emirati military delegation arrived in Aden on December 12 to discuss measures aimed at defusing tensions.

Saudi Arabia said the teams were sent to make "the necessary arrangements" to ensure the return of STC forces to their previous positions outside the two provinces, adding that the efforts were still in progress.

The STC was initially part of the alliance that intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Iran-aligned Houthis. But the group has turned on the government and sought self-rule in the south.

Yemen has already been marred by a civil war since 2014, with the Houthis controlling the northern part of the country, including the capital Sanaa, after forcing the Saudi-backed government to flee south.

Situated between Saudi Arabia and an important shipping route on the Red Sea, Yemen was split into northern and southern states until 1990.