Saudi Arabia, UAE call for end to Aden infighting

A joint statement by the two Gulf countries, who lead a coalition of Arab states that is fighting the Houthi movement which controls the Yemeni capital Sanaa, called for the separatists and Hadi’s government to prepare for “constructive dialogue”.

The joint statement on Sunday also called for “an immediate end to all military operations as well as violations against any public and private property,” according to state news agencies SPA and WAM.

It also reiterated support for the “legitimate government” of President Hadi, who has been based in Riyadh for several years.

Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah to end the fighting between the UAE-backed separatists and President Hadi’s government reached a dead end on Friday and both sides were said to be preparing for further battles.

Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE officially back President Hadi’s government but the UAE has pursued its own agenda in Yemen, supporting the separatist Southern Transitional Council and its associated militias, who want to recreate the state of South Yemen, which existed before 1990, when it united with North Yemen to form the Yemeni Republic.

Last month, UAE backed separatists seized the presidential palace and army camps in Aden. On 29 August, dozens were killed when UAE forces carried out strikes against government forces trying to recapture the city.

Read more: Saudi Arabia, UAE have lost the plot in Yemen, but it's good news for Russia

This led to the Yemeni government condemning the UAE and joining calls for a boycott of its Emirates airline, as well as increasing tension between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia has also threatened the UAE-backed separatists with a “decisive” reaction if they did not return control of Aden to the government.