Saudi Arabia, UAE call for halt in fighting in Yemen’s south

SANAA, Yemen – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are calling for an end to fighting in southern Yemen between forces loyal to the internationally recognized government and UAE-backed separatists.

The joint statement urges President Mansour Abed Rabbo Hadi’s government and the secessionist Southern Transitional Council to prepare for “constructive” talks in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi rebel group has been undermined by recent infighting in the south between government and STC forces, which are ostensibly allies. The clashes erupted in August when the southern separatists wrested control of Hadi’s interim capital, Aden.

Sunday’s statement came as Yemeni officials say Hadi’s government is amassing troops to retake a key southern city from the separatists. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to the brief media.