A mass rally in supportPro-Southern Transitional Council Demonstrations Held in Abyan and Al-Mahra A mass rally in support of the Southern Transitional Council in the city of Al-Ghaydha, Al-Mahra governorate,

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Pro-Southern Transitional Council Demonstrations Held in Abyan and Al-Mahra

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Aden (South24 Center)|¶south eye

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Abyan and Al-Mahra governorates in South Yemen on Friday and Saturday in rallies called by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to statements issued by organizers and local officials. Participants reaffirmed their support for STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi and reiterated calls for the restoration of an independent South state.

In Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, large crowds assembled on Saturday in Freedom Square under the banner “The Million March of Steadfastness and Loyalty.” Protesters waved South flags and chanted slogans in support of the STC, while condemning what they described as the “suppression of demonstrators” earlier this week in Hadramout and Shabwa.

Organizers reported that delegations from neighboring provinces took part in the gathering.

Samir Mohammed Al-Heid, head of the STC’s local executive body in Abyan, said the rally “reflects the southern people’s commitment to their cause,” adding that public backing for the Council’s leadership “remains renewed and strong.”

For his part, Acting Secretary-General Wadhah Al-Halimi described the event as “a new phase of political struggle” that reflects unity at what he characterized as a sensitive political stage.

A political statement issued at the Zinjibar rally affirmed the “renewal of a full mandate” for Al-Zubaidi to represent the southern cause in regional and international forums, citing what organizers termed the “legitimacy of the popular squares.”

The statement also called for an “urgent and transparent” investigation into acts of violence in Shabwa against peaceful demonstrators. It rejected any steps aimed at dissolving the STC and reaffirmed adherence to the constitutional declaration issued on January 2, 2026.

In Al-Ghaydha, the capital of Al-Mahra, protesters gathered on Friday afternoon carrying South flags and images of Al-Zubaidi, chanting slogans demanding “the right to self-determination and the restoration of a fully sovereign state,” according to local reporting and video footage from the scene.

Videos circulated online showed the playing of the southern national anthem and the arrival of delegations from surrounding districts.

Hassan Mahdi Balhaf, an STC official in Al-Mahra, said the province “will not fall behind South Arabia,” affirming its alignment with other southern governorates in any political path that reflects the popular will.

The closing statement called for empowering local security forces, strengthening stability, and rejecting what it described as “external interference.” It also urged international investigations into recent events in Hadramout and Shabwa.

The rallies follow deadly incidents in Shabwa province on February 11, in which several people were killed and injured during the dispersal of a pro-STC demonstration. The incident has sparked political debate over responsibility and intensified calls for transparent investigations and safeguards to prevent further violence against protesters.

- South24 Center of the Southern Transitional Council in the city of Al-Ghaydha, Al-Mahra governorate, 

Aden (South24 Center)||¶south eye

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Abyan and Al-Mahra governorates in South Yemen on Friday and Saturday in rallies called by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to statements issued by organizers and local officials. Participants reaffirmed their support for STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi and reiterated calls for the restoration of an independent South state.

In Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, large crowds assembled on Saturday in Freedom Square under the banner “The Million March of Steadfastness and Loyalty.” Protesters waved South flags and chanted slogans in support of the STC, while condemning what they described as the “suppression of demonstrators” earlier this week in Hadramout and Shabwa.

Organizers reported that delegations from neighboring provinces took part in the gathering.

Samir Mohammed Al-Heid, head of the STC’s local executive body in Abyan, said the rally “reflects the southern people’s commitment to their cause,” adding that public backing for the Council’s leadership “remains renewed and strong.”

For his part, Acting Secretary-General Wadhah Al-Halimi described the event as “a new phase of political struggle” that reflects unity at what he characterized as a sensitive political stage.

A political statement issued at the Zinjibar rally affirmed the “renewal of a full mandate” for Al-Zubaidi to represent the southern cause in regional and international forums, citing what organizers termed the “legitimacy of the popular squares.”

The statement also called for an “urgent and transparent” investigation into acts of violence in Shabwa against peaceful demonstrators. It rejected any steps aimed at dissolving the STC and reaffirmed adherence to the constitutional declaration issued on January 2, 2026.

In Al-Ghaydha, the capital of Al-Mahra, protesters gathered on Friday afternoon carrying South flags and images of Al-Zubaidi, chanting slogans demanding “the right to self-determination and the restoration of a fully sovereign state,” according to local reporting and video footage from the scene.

Videos circulated online showed the playing of the southern national anthem and the arrival of delegations from surrounding districts.

Hassan Mahdi Balhaf, an STC official in Al-Mahra, said the province “will not fall behind South Arabia,” affirming its alignment with other southern governorates in any political path that reflects the popular will.

The closing statement called for empowering local security forces, strengthening stability, and rejecting what it described as “external interference.” It also urged international investigations into recent events in Hadramout and Shabwa.

The rallies follow deadly incidents in Shabwa province on February 11, in which several people were killed and injured during the dispersal of a pro-STC demonstration. The incident has sparked political debate over responsibility and intensified calls for transparent investigations and safeguards to prevent further violence against protesters.

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- South24 Center