Aden (South24)

President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and member of the Presidential Leadership Council, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, intensified his meetings and engagements in the capital, Aden, from December 13 to 16, in moves focused on strengthening institutional performance, improving the work of government and service sectors, and ensuring the continuity of state institutions amid recent political and security developments.

On December 13, Al-Zubaidi chaired the regular meeting of the Supreme Executive Leadership of the Southern Transitional Council. The meeting discussed political, military, and security developments, in addition to economic conditions and measures to regulate the domestic gas market. It also addressed the outcomes of his meeting with a delegation from the Arab Coalition.

 Read more at: Saudi–Emirati Delegation Arrives in Aden Amid Heightened Anticipation

On the same day, Al-Zubaidi issued a decision to form the preparatory committee for the Southern Fatwa Authority, in a step aimed at organizing fatwa-related work and strengthening the institutional framework.

On December 14, Al-Zubaidi discussed with the Minister of Public Health and Population ways to localize pharmaceutical industries, contributing to strengthening health security, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, and reducing reliance on external imports.

Meetings continued on December 15, when Al-Zubaidi met with the Speaker of Parliament, Sultan Al-Barakani, and discussed with him the coordination of positions and efforts aimed at liberating northern areas from the control of the Houthi group, affirming the readiness of the Southern Forces to participate in the battle of liberation whenever political will is available.

Within the service sector framework, Al-Zubaidi visited the Ministries of Transport and of Industry and Trade, and chaired meetings that discussed ways to develop infrastructure, enhance institutional performance, regulate markets, and prevent price manipulation.

On December 16, Al-Zubaidi discussed with the President of Aden University the conditions of the university and its needs. 

He also reviewed the workflow of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and discussed the level of administrative performance and coordination mechanisms to ensure the implementation of Cabinet decisions and activate the work of ministries.

These moves come following the departure of the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Prime Minister from the capital, Aden, amid confirmations by the Southern Transitional Council that it did not demand their departure. At a time, it is suggested that Al-Zubaidi’s meetings aim to prevent any vacuum in the work of the government and state institutions in Aden and other governorates.

Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, had threatened millions of residents in South Yemen with salary disruptions following the security operation carried out by the Southern Armed Forces in Wadi Hadramout and Al-Mahra, which, according to official statements, aimed to secure this vast area and cut off arms and drug smuggling routes to the Houthis.

 Read more at: Al-Alimi Threatens Economic Sanctions Against Millions in South Yemen