Thousands of STC supporters gather in Aden for rally

Thousands of Yemenis Gather in Aden to Show Support for Southern Transitional Council

Demonstrations took place in Aden’s Khor Maksar district on Saturday, with supporters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) chanting slogans and waving flags. The crowd included protesters from various provinces in the capital city. According to Yacoub al-Safyani, a protester, “The people of the south gathered from all provinces in Aden to reiterate their desire for an independent state.”

The STC had previously taken control of several provinces in southern and eastern Yemen, including Hadramout and al-Mahra. However, Saudi-backed forces launched an attack on the group’s positions, forcing them out of these areas. The confrontations have heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A delegation from the STC met with officials in Riyadh for talks, but announced that the group would disband due to internal disagreements and regional pressure. However, Anwar al-Tamimi, an STC spokesman, disputed this decision, stating that only the full council could make such a move under its president.

The STC’s leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, was smuggled from Aden to the UAE after failing to attend talks in Riyadh. Saudi-backed forces have accused the UAE of helping him escape on a flight tracked to a military airport in Abu Dhabi.

Authorities in Aden have ordered a ban on demonstrations in the city due to security concerns. The STC’s future remains uncertain, with internal divisions and conflicting reports about its plans.

Source: Al Jazeera