Dubai: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Southern Transitional Council forces have begun withdrawing from some of the government-held areas they captured the day earlier after it struck their positions.
The coalition bombarded the separatists in Aden early on Sunday after the Yemeni government accused them of staging a coup against it, Saudi state-backed media reported.
The Southern Transitional Council issued a statement on its website accepting the ceasefire demanded by Saudi Arabia and agreeing to enter a dialogue.
The Saudis also invited the Southern Transitional Council to a meeting in Jeddah to resolve differences, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Its website and social media accounts made no mention of a withdrawal.
Aden is the temporary seat of the internationally recognized government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on Saturday expressed “grave concern” about the developments, calling them a diversion from the war’s primary objective of fighting the Al Houthi rebels.
Saudi Arabia reiterated support for the “legitimate government,” Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said Saturday in a series of tweets.
“We reject any use of arms in Aden and breach of security and stability,” he said.