Aden (South24 Center)

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Protesters supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC) on Wednesday (April 1) reopened three main headquarters of the Council in the capital, Aden, which had been closed for about six weeks. This move defied strict security measures imposed by authorities to prevent the event.

The reopened facilities included the headquarters of the National Assembly, the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs, and the General Secretariat. These were closed on February 22 as part of measures that the authorities, backed by Saudi Arabia, said were aimed at law enforcement and the recovery of state property.

#BREAKING

Video showing the gathering of protesters in front of the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Tawahi #south24 pic.twitter.com/VNhviHs9hm

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

A South24 correspondent reported that hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly headquarters in the Tawahi district, where they re-hoisted the portrait of the Council's President, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, atop the building. Meanwhile, security forces and armored vehicles were deployed on the roads leading to the district to prevent more participants from arriving.

Since the early morning hours, authorities closed the marine road leading to Tawahi and prevented thousands of protesters from reaching the site by blocking main entrances. However, crowds managed to open a road at the entrance of the Maalla district and proceed toward the event location.

#BREAKING
Our correspondent: Protesters reopen blocked road at Al-Mualla entrance, moving toward Tawahi#south24pic.twitter.com/jMUWYltlrT

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

These developments followed a call by the STC to organize a peaceful gathering to demand the reopening of its headquarters, holding the authorities responsible for the closure and considering it an "illegal" measure that hinders its political and organizational activities.

In contrast, the local authority in Aden stated that the measures taken were within the framework of implementing the law. It denied targeting political activity or freedom of expression, warning against any movements that might threaten security and stability in the city.

#BREAKING
South24 images show protests outside STC General Assembly headquarters in Tawahi, Aden#south24 pic.twitter.com/08veuv7A2Z

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

The Security Committee also called on the protesters to move their gathering to Al-Aroud Square in Khormaksar, noting that the site in Tawahi could not accommodate the large numbers "for their own safety" and to prevent friction.

#BREAKING
Watch: Protesters raise photo of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi on STC National Assembly headquarters in Tawahi#south24pic.twitter.com/ukmIE5afJ6

— South24 | English (@South24E) April 1, 2026

In their final statement, the protesters escalated their political tone, describing the closure of the STC headquarters as a "political aggression" targeting the Southern will and an attempt to marginalize the Council from the public scene.

The statement emphasized adherence to the leadership of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, considering any infringement on his legitimacy as "treason."

Furthermore, the protesters held the parties responsible for closing the headquarters accountable for the consequences of escalation and popular congestion. They warned against the continuation of what they described as policies of political restriction, while simultaneously affirming their commitment to peaceful action if their demands are ignored.

The statement's messages expanded to include other issues, as protesters condemned the closure of the Council's offices in Hadramout, viewing it as part of a broader escalation. They also criticized the measures taken against the soldiers of the Barshid Brigade in Hadramout, describing them as systematic military targeting.

The statement concluded by stressing adherence to Southern national rights and principles, rejecting any attempts to weaken the Southern political project, and denouncing what it described as policies aimed at dismantling the Southern Armed Forces and undermining their national doctrine.