Aden (South24 Center)

Hussein Al-Misari, head of the Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) Executive Body in Mudiyah District, Abyan Governorate, passed away on Monday (April 13) due to injuries sustained in an assassination attempt earlier this month.

Al-Misari was targeted in an armed attack on April 3, when gunmen—believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula—opened fire on him while he was traveling through Mudiyah District.

The attack left him with severe wounds to the neck and back. He was subsequently transported to a hospital in the capital, Aden, where he remained in intensive care for 11 days.

Medical sources confirmed that Al-Misari succumbed to his injuries following a deterioration in his health condition, despite efforts to save his life.

In an initial statement, STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi praised Al-Misari’s contributions, describing him as a "patriot" and reaffirming the ongoing commitment to counter-terrorism efforts in the South.

Al-Zubaidi stated that “the sacrifices of the martyrs will remain a beacon to continue the struggle toward the restoration of a federal South Arabia state.”

Al-Misari was considered a prominent local leader in Mudiyah, a district that has seen recurring activity by extremist groups, primarily AQAP.

At the time of the attack, the STC’s National Assembly condemned the incident, labeling it a “cowardly crime” aimed at destabilizing the South.

The Assembly also called on security forces to swiftly pursue the perpetrators and uncover the circumstances of the incident, warning of escalating terrorist threats in Abyan Governorate.

In recent years, Mudiyah District has witnessed a series of attacks and assassinations targeting security, military, and local leaders amid the activity of extremist cells in the region.

In August 2022, Southern forces launched Operation “Arrows of the East” to dismantle extremist strongholds; however, sporadic attacks and armed ambushes continue in certain areas.