The historic meeting that brought together the President of the Southern Transitional Council, Major General Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi, and the member of the Political Bureau of the National Resistance, Tariq Saleh, in Abu Dhabi, sparked many political and media reactions, with some describing it as a strong message to Saudi Arabia and the Brotherhood, expressing the two parties’ adherence to their positions on... Land, away from Riyadh’s understandings with the Houthis.

Broadcaster Hamdi Al-Yafei, on Al-Jumhuriya Channel, considered the meeting a “very eloquent” political message to Saudi Arabia, stating that the new alliances are not concerned with the ongoing understandings with the Houthis, in reference to the Brotherhood’s control over areas in Ma’rib, the Valley, and Al-Mahra, which may be affected by this new political equation. . 

While journalist Salah Al-Saqladi saw that the meeting represented an “Emirati poke” to Saudi Arabia, which lays the foundations for resolving the Yemeni crisis and bringing the parties together at the dialogue table again, despite the fragility of any future dialogue with the Houthi group.

For his part, Ali Haitham Al-Gharib, a member of the Presidency of the Transitional Council, explained that the remaining months of the current year will reveal the results of these meetings and political movements, pointing to the ability of the political leadership of the Transitional Council to maneuver amid this complex international political movement.

This first officially announced meeting between Al-Zubaidi and Tariq Saleh came after years of unannounced meetings, and indicates the building of a new south-north alliance to confront common challenges, especially in confronting the Houthis and extremist groups.

According to the Southern Transitional Council website, the meeting focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two sides to confront the Houthi militias and terrorist groups, with an agreement to form a committee to communicate and follow up on developments. 

This meeting sends clear signals to the international and regional community about the unity of the fronts against the Houthis, and strengthens alliances in light of the faltering Yemeni political process, while Yemeni circles await what these movements will result in the near future.