Aden (South24 Center)

The Special Envoy of the President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Amr Al-Bidh, said on Monday (December 15) that Iran’s objections to counterterrorism operations by Southern forces and efforts aimed at disrupting the smuggling routes used by the Houthi militia raise “serious questions,” stressing that confronting extremism must be a shared priority, not a point of contention.

Al-Bidh added on X platform that “aligning with parties seeking to destabilize the region only serves to undermine regional security and our sovereignty,” affirming that the South “will never compromise on these values and will always place the interests of its people at the forefront of its priorities.”

Al-Bidh’s remarks came in response to statements by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, who said on Sunday (December 14) that the Southern Forces’ control over wide areas in Hadramout and Al-Mahra “aligns with Israel’s policies” and represents “a source of concern for West Asian countries,” according to the official Iranian news agency (IRNA).

In a related context, the President of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, received Speaker of Parliament, Sultan Al-Barakani, at the Presidential Palace in the capital Aden, where the meeting discussed the latest political developments and ways to enhance security and stability in the liberated governorates.

According to the announcement, the meeting reviewed the efforts of the armed forces in combating terrorism and countering arms smuggling operations by the Houthi militia, in addition to discussing coordination of joint efforts and positions aimed at liberating areas under the group’s control.

Al-Zubaidi reaffirmed the readiness of the Southern Armed Forces to participate in liberating areas in northern Yemen once genuine political will is present, while criticizing the reluctance of some factions within the Presidential Leadership Council to do so. He also criticized their reliance on media rhetoric without actual action on the ground, holding this reluctance responsible for prolonging the conflict and increasing the suffering of citizens.

This coincided with the launch of Operation “Al Hasm” (Decisiveness) today in Abyan Governorate, announced by the Southern Forces as part of their ongoing military operations to combat terrorist organizations and secure the governorates of South Yemen amid escalating security threats and attempts to destabilize the region.

The Southern Forces had previously stated that their operations in Hadramout and Al-Mahra were aimed to secure the areas and cut off smuggling routes used by the Houthi militia to transport weapons, referring to smuggling networks linked to Iran across desert regions. They also affirmed the success of their military missions in the valley and desert of Hadramout and Al-Mahra in eliminating terrorist hotspots and severing supply lines.

The Iranian statements reflect, as it appears, growing concern in Tehran over the expanding influence of the Southern Transitional Council across the entire borders of South Yemen, especially amid repeated Southern affirmations that “side skirmishes are over” and that the battle is now directly tied to security and counterterrorism.

These developments come at a time when South Yemen is witnessing ongoing popular movements in several governorates, amid the Southern leadership’s emphasis that the security of the South is a “red line,” and that any political or field arrangements must stem from the reality of territorial control and the demands of the street.

On December 3, the Southern Armed Forces announced the execution of one of their most prominent military operations, named “Promising Future,” to liberate Wadi Hadramout from northern forces affiliated with the First Military District.