Aden (South24) 

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) said on Thursday that the escalation of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab directly affects the national and economic security of South Yemen and squanders opportunities for peace.

The declaration came during a meeting of the STC Presidency, headed by Major General Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, who is also member of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

In a statement published on its official website, the STC said: "The Houthi escalation undermines the chances of stopping the war and efforts to bring peace. Any talk about solutions in isolation from the ongoing escalation empties the essence of peace of its content."

The statement added: "We affirm the firm position of the STC in supporting and assisting the regional and international coalition aimed at protecting international shipping lanes in this important region for the region and the world."

The STC’s statement came as new developments and information began circulating regarding an expected political deal between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman.

According to informed sources, Yemen's PLC will participate in signing the proposed “road map,” even though the council was not part of the proposal’s drafting phase.

Yesterday, the office of the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced that he had concluded a visit to Muscat, Oman, during which he met with senior Omani officials and the chief Houthi negotiator, Mohammed Abdel Salam.

“They discussed efforts to foster progress toward implementing measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, securing a sustainable nationwide ceasefire, and achieving tangible progress toward an inclusive political process under UN auspices,” the statement added.

On 19 December, Grundberg concluded another visit to Riyadh, during which he met with the Chairman of the Yemeni PLC, Rashad Al-Alimi, and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Yemen. He also met with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

On 12 December, The Guardian reported that the United States had issued a warning to the Houthis that the peace plan for Yemen, negotiated with Saudi Arabia and delivered to Grundberg, would fail if attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Yemen continued.