![Fighters of the UAE-trained Security Belt Forces, dominated by members of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) which seeks independence for south Yemen, gather at the al-Alam crossroads on the eastern entrance of Aden on August 30th. [Nabil Hasan/AFP]](/cnmi_am/images/2019/10/25/20569-yemen-conflict-agreement-700_496.webp)
Yemen's southern separatists have struck a power-sharing deal with the internationally-recognised government aimed at ending a conflict simmering within the country's long-running civil war, sources on both sides said Friday (October 25th).
The deal would see the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) handed a number of ministries, and the government return to the southern city of Aden, according to officials and reports in Saudi media.
Security Belt Forces -- dominated by the STC -- in August took control of Aden, which had served as the government's base since it was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Iran-backed Houthis (Ansarallah) in 2014.
The clashes between the separatists and government forces -- who for years fought on the same side against the Houthis -- had raised fears the country could break apart entirely.
The warring factions have in recent weeks been holding indirect and discreet talks mediated by Saudi Arabia in the kingdom's western city of Jeddah.
"We signed the final draft of the agreement and are waiting for the joint signature within days," an STC official currently in Riyadh told AFP.
Both Yemen's President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and STC leader Aidarous al-Zoubeidi are expected to attend a ceremony in Riyadh, he added.
A Yemeni government official, declining to be named, confirmed the deal had been agreed and was expected to be signed by Tuesday.
It sets out "the reformation of the government, with the STC included in a number of ministries, and the return of the government to Aden within seven days after the agreement being signed," he told AFP.
Saudi Arabia's Al-Ekhbariya state television said a government of 24 ministers would be formed, "divided equally between the southern and northern governorates of Yemen".
Under the deal, the Yemeni prime minister would return to Aden to "reactivate state institutions", it added.
Al-Ekhbariya said the Saudi-led military coalition which backs the government against the Houthis would oversee a "joint committee" to implement the agreement.
Power isn’t a cake to be spilt! No government will be recognised until all rights have been restored. Whether the dollar value increases or decreases, whether there is oil and diesel or not, the revolution will continue until all of its goals are realised. God, homeland, revolution and unity!
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Since Sheba, Yemen doesn’t accept any injustice. Only those who have changed their method of thinking and heritage, and deviated from their religion, will accept to have their honour and soil torn apart. Our revenge will be permanent, and our fire will always be ignited and won’t be put out by your passions however strong they can be. Our blood won’t dry until we dry up your resources. No matter how long it takes, we’ll always be people of immense strength and power, and you’re kings who corrupt villages when you enter them.
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Yes, we support the agreement.
ReplySaudi Arabia wants to tear Yemen apart, but it won’t be able to. This is because there are still men in Yemen who are extremely dignified and proud. If you can get the East and West, o, Al Saud, do it. You’ve given your agent, Abdrabbuh, a Jewish nature, but what value does a traitor has for you? He has no homeland.
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