Abduction of Al-Wazir sparks conflict between STC leaders in Aden

ADEN, Aug. 26 (YPA) – Media sources have revealed plans to hold a protest in Aden tomorrow, Tuesday, to condemn the abduction of former Southern Movement leader Sami Al-Wazir by elements affiliated with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) last Thursday.

According to reports, a number of political activists and journalists have mobilized to organize the protest, demanding the release of Al-Wazir, who is close to the commander of the “Anti-Terrorism” unit, Shalal Shayea, from Dhale.

This comes after a verbal altercation took place among leaders from Yafea and Dhalea in a WhatsApp group.

The reports indicate that Al-Wazir’s abduction is related to accusations against the Yafai wing’s leaders of exploiting the issue of the abduction of Major Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani in mid-June.

This is despite the fact that these leaders are fully aware Naif Al-Qahbi, a Southern Resistance leader from Yafa, was tortured to death in prison years ago, and that no measures were taken by them in response.

The sources also noted that Al-Wazir was abducted by the “Security Belt Forces,” whose leaders are from Yafea, and was accused of being involved in the abduction of Al-Qahbi.

There are growing fears of heightened discord between the leaders of the STC factions from Dhalea and Yafea in Aden.

Al-Wazir had previously revealed details in voice recordings about the torture and execution of Al-Qahbi by elements of the “Anti-Terrorism” unit, carried out by individuals from Dhalea in the Goldmoor area.

Aden and other southern governorates, especially Abyan and Shabwa, are facing intense public anger due to the ongoing detention and enforced disappearances of their residents in STC prisons over the past years.

@E.Y.M