Saudi-Kuwaiti Statement: Joint Emphasis on Red Sea Security, Stability

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
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Saudi-Kuwaiti Statement: Joint Emphasis on Red Sea Security, Stability

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kuwaiti Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad

Riyadh and Kuwait have stressed the need to preserve security and stability in the Red Sea region, respecting maritime navigation rights under international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Amid ongoing events in the region, both countries called for restraint and avoiding escalation.
In a joint statement following the Kuwaiti Emir’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two nations reiterated that the entire Dorra field belongs to Kuwait in its maritime areas.
They emphasized shared ownership exclusively between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for natural resources in the submerged area, rejecting any claims by other parties.
Both sides renewed calls for Iran to negotiate the eastern boundary of the submerged area with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait under international law.

They underlined Iraq’s commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and adherence to international agreements, especially UN Security Council Resolution 833 (1993), which outlined land and sea borders.
The importance of completing the maritime border demarcation beyond Milestone 162 was highlighted.
Additionally, both countries urged Iraq to adhere to the Maritime Navigation Regulation Agreement in Khawr Abdullah, signed in 2012.
They rejected Iraq’s unilateral cancellation of the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol and its map, part of the Joint Plan for navigation safety in Khawr Abdullah.
The joint statement also reiterated support for UN Security Council Resolution 2107 (2013), urging efforts to locate missing Kuwaitis and nationals of third countries.
It emphasized the importance of continuing the Security Council's monitoring of missing Kuwaiti properties and called for maximum efforts to reach a final resolution for all outstanding issues.
In regional discussions, both sides expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to Israeli attacks, impacting civilians and destroying vital facilities.
They called for an end to military operations in Palestinian territories, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians under international law.
Both sides urged the international community to stop Israeli violations and pressure Israel to cease aggression, preventing forced displacement of Palestinians.
They highlighted the need for international humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to Palestinians, including UN agencies.
The joint statement stressed intensified efforts for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, supporting a two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and relevant international resolutions.
In Yemen, both sides supported UN and regional efforts for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
Kuwait commended Saudi initiatives in promoting dialogue and delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen.
Regarding Sudan, both sides emphasized maintaining Sudan’s unity and independence, rejecting interference in its internal affairs.
They commended the Sudanese parties for commitment to end the conflict, welcoming outcomes from talks in Jeddah that facilitated increased humanitarian aid and paved the way for a permanent ceasefire.
In defense and security, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation, praising existing security collaboration.
They expressed a desire to strengthen joint efforts in combating crime, drug trafficking, ensuring border security, countering terrorism, and promoting a culture of moderation and tolerance for mutual security and stability.

 

 



Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Saturday it “was time for the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen to listen to reason and prioritize public interest and unity of ranks and respond to the Saudi-Emirati mediation to end the escalation.”

In a post on the X platform, he called on the STC to withdraw its forces from the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and restore control to the National Shield and local authorities.

Prince Khalid said Saudi Arabia formed the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen to help the country reclaim control over all of its territories.

The liberation of southern provinces was a pivotal development towards that goal, he stressed.

Saudi Arabia “views the southern issue as fundamental” to Yemen and it will not “exploit it in conflicts that do not serve” the nation, he added.

The Kingdom had brought together all Yemeni components to the Riyadh conference to come up with a clear path for a comprehensive political solution, including the southern issue, he went on to say.

The conference paved the way for a “just solution to their cause through dialogue and without the use of forces.”

“Saudi Arabia approved the decision to move the base of power so that the southerners could have a greater role in state institutions. It consolidated partnership instead of elimination or imposing a status quo through forces. Saudi Arabia also presented Yemen with economic support, as well as development and humanitarian initiatives that helped ease the suffering of the people,” Prince Khalid added.

“Saudi Arabia and its partners in the coalition offered sacrifices with their Yemeni brothers in liberating Aden and other provinces,” he noted. “The Kingdom has always sought that these sacrifices be made in the name of reclaiming territories and restoring the state, not as a path towards new conflicts.”

It had hoped that these sacrifices would have been “invested in the security of all Yemeni people, not exploited for petty gains, whereby the unfortunate developments in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra since the beginning of December 2025 have led to the division in ranks that should be united against the enemy.”

“The developments have laid waste to the sacrifices of our sons and Yemeni people and have harmed the just southern issue,” stressed Prince Khalid.

He noted that several southern leaderships and figures have exhibited “awareness and wisdom in supporting efforts to end the escalation in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra and prevent the secure southern provinces from being dragged into futile conflicts.”

“They are aware of the major challenges facing Yemen and will not allow saboteurs to achieve their goals in the country and the region,” he remarked.

He declared that the “southern issue will remain part of any comprehensive political solution. The cause will not be neglected or marginalized. It should be resolved through consensus, adhering to commitments and building trust between all Yemeni segments, not through adventures that only serve everyone's enemy.”


Arab Coalition: We Will Deal with Military Moves that Violate De-escalation Efforts

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
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Arab Coalition: We Will Deal with Military Moves that Violate De-escalation Efforts

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)

Spokesman of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki al-Malki said on Saturday that “any military moves that violate de-escalation efforts will be dealt with directly to protect lives and ensure the success of Saudi and Emirati efforts.”

The statement is in response to a request by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, who called for immediate steps to protect civilians in the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces in wake of the “grave and horrific” violations by members of the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

It is also in continuation of the strenuous joint efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to de-escalate the situation and ensure the withdrawal of STC forces, who have been demanded to cede control to the National Shield forces and allow the local authorities to carry out their duties.

Malki underlined the Arab coalition’s continued firm support for the legitimate Yemeni government.

He also urged all sides to assume their national responsibility, exercise restraint and comply with efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Carries out Warning Strike on Yemen’s Hadhramaut, STC Says ‘Open to Coordination’

Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Carries out Warning Strike on Yemen’s Hadhramaut, STC Says ‘Open to Coordination’

Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia called for calm in eastern Yemen, urging an end to unilateral military moves and for the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to return to their former positions outside of the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces.

Riyadh, meanwhile, demonstrated its stance on the ground by carrying out a warning air strike, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The strike sought to deliver a message that it will not allow a new status quo to be imposed on the ground by force and that it will not allow the violation of institutional frameworks that handle security in the eastern provinces.

It warned that any further escalation will be met with firmer measures.

Meanwhile, the STC, in an attempt to justify its military moves, said they were in “response to calls from residents of the south” and an attempt to confront terrorist threats and block Houthi smuggling routes.

The STC added that it was “open to any coordination or arrangements with Saudi Arabia”, questioning the airstrike, which it said “does not serve understandings.”

Observers told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia will welcome the coordination and arrangements if they helped end the escalation, led to the withdrawal of the STC and allowed the National Shield forces and the local authority to take over Hadhramaut and al-Mahra without needing to resort to force.

They stressed that the strike will lead to delivering the clear message that Riyadh may impose red lines by force to prevent any escalation.

Sourced told Asharq Al-Awsat that any future settlement over restoring the unity of Yemeni ranks will condition a return to the former status quo.