Erdogan offers to mediate with bin Salman to ease dialogue in Yemen

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to act as a mediator to help facilitate dialogue between the parties in Yemen, amid tensions between forces backed by Riyadh and southern separatists supported by the United Arab Emirates, Ankara said on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have for years supported different factions within Yemen’s internationally recognised government. However, a recent move by the Southern Transitional Council to take control of Hadramout province has angered Saudi Arabia and deepened differences between the two countries.

During a phone call, Erdogan told bin Salman that Turkey is “ready to contribute to efforts aimed at bringing the parties closer together”, according to the Turkish presidency.

Erdogan said Ankara is closely monitoring developments in both Yemen and Somalia, adding that preserving the territorial unity of the two countries is vital for regional stability.

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