In the face of ongoing internal divisions, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen finds itself at a critical juncture, with thousands of supporters rallying in Aden to demand independence. This public show of resilience unfolds amid complex geopolitical dynamics involving regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, casting a spotlight on the aspirations for southern autonomy in Yemen’s troubled landscape. As events continue to evolve, the STC’s future remains uncertain, presenting a compelling narrative of a divided movement under external pressures.
Thousands of Yemenis have rallied in Aden to demonstrate support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC) amidst conflicting reports regarding the group’s potential disbandment following violent confrontations with Saudi Arabia-backed forces. The gathering, which took place in the Khor Maksar district, a stronghold of the STC, saw supporters chanting slogans directed against both Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The demonstrators prominently displayed the flag of the former South Yemen, an independent state that existed from 1967 until unification in 1990. Speaking at the rally, protester Yacoub al-Safyani expressed the unified sentiment of the crowd, stating, “We want an independent state.” This outpouring of solidarity comes on the heels of a successful Saudi-backed offensive aimed at reasserting control over areas in southern and eastern Yemen that the STC had seized late last year.
The recent confrontations have revealed escalating tensions not just within Yemen but also between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a close ally that has faced accusations from Riyadh regarding its support for the STC. The group previously occupied the provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra, strategically positioned near the Saudi border, which led to a concerted military push from Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, driving the STC from key territories.
Amidst diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, an STC delegation recently traveled to Riyadh for discussions, during which they announced the group’s intended dissolution, which some analysts have interpreted as an admission of defeat. Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Sebaihi stated the decision to disband all bodies and offices of the STC, both domestically and abroad, was influenced by internal disagreements and growing regional pressures.
Contradicting this announcement, Anwar al-Tamimi, a spokesman for the STC, asserted that such a monumental decision could only be taken by the full council under its president, reflecting the deepening internal divisions within the separatist movement. During the protest, supporters carried posters of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the group’s leader, who, following the failed talks, was reportedly smuggled from Aden to the UAE, raising further questions about the internal dynamics and decisions within the STC.
In an official statement on the matter, authorities aligned with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government issued a ban on demonstrations in Aden, citing security concerns, illustrating the challenging environment in which these events are unfolding.
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