Mukalla (South24 Center)

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The city of Mukalla witnessed a large-scale public rally on Tuesday (May 5), with thousands of residents from Hadramout Governorate gathering in the “Sikkat Yaqub” area to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the “Aden Historic Declaration,” which paved the way for the establishment of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in May 2017.

#BREAKING

A South24 video from the rally site in Mukalla, Hadramout, where crowds continue to stream in to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) #south24 pic.twitter.com/6cqT2TmwwN

— South24 | English (@South24E) May 5, 2026

Crowds began arriving at the venue several hours before the event, with videos and on-the-ground images showing a steady increase in attendance. Participants represented a broad cross-section of society, including elders, women, and youth.

The event took place despite logistical challenges and amid heightened security measures, according to footage obtained by South24 Center.

Local sources also reported that Saudi-backed forces prevented delegations from several districts along Hadramout’s coast, including areas west of Mukalla, from reaching the venue. This led to protests along Al-Dhabba road, east of the city.

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Local sources: Saudi-backed forces in coastal Hadramout prevent delegations from Brum Mayfa from reaching #Mukalla and establish a security checkpoint on the Al-Dabba road #south24 pic.twitter.com/fxYZDcbab0

— South24 | English (@South24E) May 5, 2026

In a speech, Ali Al-Jifri, acting head of the STC Executive Authority in Hadramout, said that “these crowds send a clear message to the region and the world, reflecting the will of the people of the South and their commitment to their political choices.”

He added that “the battle today is one of resilience in the face of divisive projects.”

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A South24 video: Notable presence of the elderly, women, and youth at the event marking the anniversary of the STC's founding in Mukalla#south24 pic.twitter.com/9irCohTLtN

— South24 | English (@South24E) May 5, 2026

Event organizers told South24 Center’s correspondent that the rally achieved notable success despite restrictions that prevented some delegations from attending, emphasizing that the scale of participation reflects the level of public support for the STC.

A closing statement issued at the event affirmed that the May 4 anniversary represents a renewed popular mandate for STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, and that the Southern Transitional Council is the legitimate political representative of the Southern cause.

The statement said this mandate reflects an ongoing determination to restore statehood and reject any settlements that undermine the right to self-determination.

It also stressed the need to preserve the cohesion of southern armed and security forces and further develop them as national institutions, while rejecting any attempts to weaken them, including efforts to dismantle the Hadrami Elite Forces.

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South24 Coverage: The mass rally begins in the city of Mukalla, celebrating the 9th anniversary of the "Aden Historic Declaration" and the founding of the Southern Transitional Council (STC)#south24 pic.twitter.com/SrJknswarj

— South24 | English (@South24E) May 5, 2026

The statement further expressed full solidarity with Gulf Arab states and rejected any threats to their security and stability. It described the stability of the South as part of the broader regional security framework and called for partnerships based on mutual respect, without guardianship or interference in the will of the people.

The Mukalla rally comes as part of a broader wave of public mobilization across southern governorates and cities. In this context, the city of Seiyun in Hadramout Valley is preparing to host a similar mass event on Thursday (May 7), marking the ninth anniversary of the Aden Declaration and renewing support for the STC and its leadership.

On Monday (May 4), the capital, Aden, also witnessed a large rally, with tens of thousands gathering at Al-Oroudh Square in Khormaksar district to mark the same occasion.

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South24 Coverage: The Southern National Anthem is played during the start of the mass rally in Mukalla, commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the STC#south24 pic.twitter.com/9OcuQ3EEll

— South24 | English (@South24E) May 5, 2026

The commemoration of May 4 represents a symbolic milestone in the trajectory of the Southern cause. In 2017, Aden saw widespread protests that culminated in granting Aidarous Al-Zubaidi a mandate to form a political entity, later realized with the announcement of the Southern Transitional Council’s establishment on May 11 of that year.