ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for a comprehensive conference in Riyadh bringing together all southern Yemeni factions as Emirati forces supporting separatists in the region announced their withdrawal from the country.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the goal of the conference, first requested by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi, is to sit all southern components at the dialogue table to discuss fair solutions to the Southern Issue within a broader political settlement for Yemen.

Riyadh said the Southern Issue is a just cause with historical and social dimensions and stressed that dialogue within a comprehensive political framework remains the only viable path forward.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed group seeking to secede from Yemen and create the "State of South Arabia," recently expanded its military presence in the southern governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

This territorial expansion was met with Saudi airstrikes on alleged Emirati weapons shipments to the rebels, bringing the Gulf states' proxy rivalry into the kinetic domain, with Riyadh asserting that "any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesistate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat."

Abu Dhabi late Frday announced it has completed the withdrawal of all Emirati armed forces personnel from Yemen. The defense ministry said the move follows a previously announced decision to end the remaining missions of counterterrorism units and was carried out in coordination with relevant partners to ensure the safety of all personnel.

Separately, the UAE on Saturday said it was following recent developments in Yemen with “deep concern” and expressed regret over the ongoing escalation. The UAE urged Yemeni parties to exercise wisdom, show restraint, and prioritize security and stability.

In its statement, the UAE emphasized the need to halt escalation, favor dialogue over confrontation, and resolve differences through understanding and consensus on sustainable political solutions. It said de-escalation and dialogue are the best way to overcome current challenges and help restore stability in Yemen and the wider region.

Iraq’s foreign ministry said Friday that it is closely following political and security developments in Yemen amid the escalation, reaffirming Baghdad’s support for the country’s security and stability.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Iraq’s position aligns with the aspirations of the Yemeni people "to live in peace."

"Regional and international efforts will contribute to supporting the path to stability in Yemen, thereby enhancing the prospects for de-escalation and creating the appropriate conditions for reaching sustainable solution," the statement continued.