STC Insists on Military Control of Hadramowt and Al-Mahra, Ignoring Official and International Warnings
Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) reaffirmed its determination to maintain military expansion in Hadramowt and Al-Mahra, dismissing official and international warnings calling for an end to unilateral measures and the withdrawal of incoming forces from outside the two governorates.
STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi announced his intention to move forward with what he described as the project to establish the “State of South Arabia.” His remarks came during an expanded meeting that included members of the STC Presidium, heads of the General Secretariat departments, chairpersons of the National Assembly committees, and members of the advisory council.
The expanded meeting came in direct response to a gathering held by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi with ambassadors of the states sponsoring the political process in Yemen. Al-Alimi had described the STC’s actions in Hadramowt and Al-Mahra as “a blatant violation of the transition-phase frameworks, a direct threat to the unity of military and security decision-making, and an erosion of the legitimate government’s authority.”
The STC position follows measures taken by the presidency and the government, including their departure from Aden and the withdrawal of the Saudi-funded Nation Shield Forces from all their camps in Aden and Lahj to the Al-Abr region near the Saudi border.
Al-Zubaidi ignored warnings issued by Al-Alimi against providing political cover for steps that could undermine the state. Instead, he reiterated the STC’s intention to complete its takeover of the eastern governorates, while praising what he called the “significant support” from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates—which he described as a strategic partnership—reflecting the council’s insistence on moving forward with its actions.
Ambassadors reaffirmed their support for Al-Alimi and reiterated their commitment to Yemen’s unity and stability, though they did not issue explicit condemnation of the STC’s recent moves in Hadramowt and Al-Mahra.
