Aden (South24 Center)

The President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, reaffirmed the Council's commitment to the option of "conscious peaceful resistance" in his first speech since the beginning of 2026. He emphasized a refusal to engage in any armed conflict following the developments witnessed in the South last January.

The speech was delivered via an audio recording broadcast by "Aden Independent Channel" (AIC) on Sunday (May 3), lasting about nine minutes. There was no official clarification regarding the recording's location, amid conflicting accounts of Al-Zubaidi's whereabouts. While STC sources indicate he is inside the country, other Saudi-linked estimates suggest he is abroad, including unconfirmed claims of his presence in the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Zubaidi delivered the speech on the 9th anniversary of the Aden Historic Declaration (May 4, 2017)—the statement announced during a massive popular rally in Aden, where participants mandated Al-Zubaidi to form a political entity representing the Southern cause, which later led to the establishment of the STC on May 11 of the same year.

Al-Zubaidi stressed that the Council "remains committed to conscious peaceful resistance regarding the consequences of last January’s events," referring to the changes in Southern governorates at the start of the year and the subsequent restructuring of authority. He noted that this direction reflects the Council’s commitment to avoiding armed confrontation.

He stated that the current stage requires "the highest levels of national awareness to preserve achievements," warning of "attempts to reshape the political landscape in the South and hollow it out of any genuine national representation," as well as "dragging it into insincere dialogues that lead to political fragmentation."

Al-Zubaidi reaffirmed that "true legitimacy is popular legitimacy, and the people of the South are its first and last source." He indicated that the Council would continue to adhere to a political path based on dialogue in accordance with the January 2 Declaration and the National Charter.

On the security and military front, Al-Zubaidi emphasized that the Southern forces and security apparatus represent the "backbone of the national project." He asserted they are a "red line" and that building a Southern army is a "national and strategic necessity," not just a temporary option.

He pointed to the role these forces have played in confronting terrorist organizations and securing international waterways, considering their readiness a pillar of stability in the South.

He also called on active international players in the Yemen file to "listen seriously to the voice of the people of the South," warning that ignoring this issue could further complicate the political scene and impact the region.

This speech comes months after significant political developments, most notably the announcement of the dissolution of the STC on January 9 from Riyadh, following the departure of a high-level delegation on January 7 for Saudi-sponsored consultations, a move that sparked widespread debate regarding the surrounding political pressures.

This is Al-Zubaidi's first appearance since those events. He was last seen on January 7 when the Council's delegation departed for Riyadh; while initially thought to be among them, official sources later stated he did not join the delegation, with reports suggesting he left the country by sea.

This coincided with a military escalation where Saudi aircraft conducted strikes in Dhalea, Al-Zubaidi's birthplace, destroying several homes. His exact location remains unknown.

Reactions and Mobilization

In a related context, the Southern community in Munich, Germany, held a protest in support of the STC and to renew the mandate for Al-Zubaidi. Meanwhile, preparations were underway in Aden to commemorate the Aden Declaration.

Al-Zubaidi’s speech was widely welcomed by STC bodies, local entities, and unions. The STC Advisory Council, Southern Ground Forces, STC coordinators at the University of Aden, the local leadership in Al-Mukalla, and the Union of Southern Writers and Litterateurs all expressed support.

These entities described the speech as a "renewed vision" for the Southern cause, signaling continued organizational cohesion despite the challenges following the January events.

On Monday (May 4), the capital, Aden, witnessed a massive popular "million-man march" called for by the STC to commemorate the anniversary, with a large turnout reflecting continued popular support for the Council and its leadership.