Aden (South24 Center)

The Executive Body of the Local Leadership of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the capital Aden condemned on Thursday, July 2, what it described as escalating campaigns of arrests, summonses, and prosecution targeting Southern activists, media professionals, and journalists over their political positions and published opinions.

In a statement, the Executive Body demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, saying these measures represent an attempt to silence dissenting voices and intimidate media and political platforms supportive of the Southern cause.

The body said the arrests and prosecutions violate freedom of opinion and expression, accusing the authorities it described as “guardianship authorities” of adopting a selective policy in dealing with political and media activity.

It added that platforms and voices attacking the STC and its leaders are being ignored, while Southern activists and media professionals are being prosecuted for rejecting the current political and service conditions and defending the Southern project.

The body warned against the continued targeting of the STC’s popular, political, and media base, stressing that harming Southern figures or attempting to weaken the Southern internal front represents, according to the statement, a “red line.”

It called on human rights and humanitarian organizations, as well as local and international journalists’ unions, to monitor these violations and follow up on the conditions of detainees, stressing that arrest campaigns and intimidation policies will not halt Southern political and media activity.

The Aden STC statement came after summons orders were issued in Lahj Governorate against a number of media professionals and activists, without any official clarification of the reasons.

Local sources said the measures were linked to writings and positions published on social media, as well as the participation of some of them in popular protests witnessed in Al-Houta, the governorate’s capital, over the past days.

The summonses coincided with a state of tension in Al-Houta, where residents held a march and protest activities in rejection of a decision to replace the district security director.

Later on July 1, the Governor of Lahj froze the decision appointing a new security director for Al-Houta until further notice, citing possible negative repercussions for security and public calm.

In Aden, local media reported the arrest of Southern figure Moeen Al-Maqrahi in Al-Shaab area on July 1, before he was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department in Khormaksar district.

The statement comes after weeks of political and security tensions in Aden, Lahj, and Hadramout. On June 10, Aden witnessed protests over the deterioration of electricity services and living conditions, including roadblocks in Crater and Mualla, reports of gunfire, and arrests targeting protesters.

On June 20, Aden and Hadramout witnessed mass public rallies in response to the STC’s call under the slogan of rejecting “Saudi guardianship” and opposing occupation.

The events were accompanied by tight security measures, reports of live fire around Al-Aroud Square in Aden, arrests targeting participants, and attempts to prevent crowds from reaching rally sites in Mukalla and Seiyun.

These developments also come amid broader concerns over freedom of expression and assembly in Yemen. In March, Human Rights Watch said government-aligned forces appeared to have used excessive force against pro-STC protesters in Aden, Shabwa, and Hadramout, and arbitrarily detained protesters without due process.