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STC Anniversary Rallies Continue; Thousands Gather in Al-Mahra

Thousands gather in Al-Masila district in the southern governorate of Al-Mahra to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the Southern Transitional Council and renew the public mandate for Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, May 6, 2026 (South24 Center).

Last updated on: 06-05-2026 at 8 PM Aden Time

Al-Mahra (South24 Center)

Al-Masila district in Al-Mahra governorate, the easternmost part of South Yemen, witnessed a mass public event on Wednesday (May 6) marking the ninth anniversary of the historic Aden Declaration and the establishment of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), with the participation of thousands of local residents.


Images and video footage captured by a South24 Center media delegation showed participants arriving from across the governorate to take part in the event.



Participants chanted slogans in support of the Southern Transitional Council and its President, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, reaffirming their backing for the project to restore the southern state. Participants also took a collective oath, pledging internal southern unity and commitment toward achieving independence.



A closing statement issued at the event described May 4 as a pivotal milestone in the trajectory of the southern cause, noting the renewal of the public mandate for STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi and reaffirming support for the council as the political representative of southern aspirations.


The statement emphasized the importance of strengthening southern unity and consolidating the principle of national partnership as a foundation for addressing current challenges. It also praised southern forces supporting the national charter in the face of attempts at division.


The statement further highlighted the role of the southern armed forces in counterterrorism efforts and in securing maritime routes, describing them as an active partner in promoting security and stability at both the regional and international levels.


It also included messages to regional countries, stressing that the South remains a partner in advancing shared interests and underscoring the importance of building balanced relations. The statement additionally expressed solidarity with Gulf states and rejected any threats targeting their security and stability.



The statement also condemned what it described as violations in some southern governorates, including the detention of civilians and restrictions on their rights, calling for accountability and investigations into those incidents, as well as the events of January and subsequent developments.


The Al-Mahra event comes as part of a series of mass public gatherings across South Yemen. On May 4, the capital, Aden, witnessed a large rally attended by tens of thousands in Al-Arood Square in Khormaksar district.

Similarly, the city of Mukalla hosted a comparable event on Tuesday (May 5), drawing thousands despite field challenges and heightened security measures.




Another public gathering is scheduled for Thursday (May 7) in the city of Seiyun in Wadi Hadramout, alongside another event on the same day in Socotra Island, as part of the ongoing commemorations marking the ninth anniversary of the Aden Declaration and the renewed mandate for the STC and its leadership.



These commemorations represent a symbolic moment in the trajectory of the southern cause. On May 4, 2017, Aden witnessed large demonstrations that culminated in authorizing Aidarous Al-Zubaidi to form a political entity, before the Southern Transitional Council was officially established on May 11, 2017.


- South24 Center

South24 Center



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