Bin Barik breaks with STC by announcing ‘Hadramout State’

HADRAMOUT, April 24 (YPA) -Ahmed Saeed bin Barik, Vice President of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), described the “Presidential Leadership Council” loyal to the Saudi-led collation, as a “council of idols” that has achieved nothing, calling on the coalition to dissolve it immediately.

Speaking to crowds during a protest organized by STC in downtown Mukalla, bin Barik stressed that the coalition must pay attention to the suffering of Hadramout residents, as it is the “guardian” of the southern provinces under Chapter VII and responsible for providing services to them.

He announced his break from the STC by calling for the establishment of what he termed the “United Arab State of Hadramout”, rejecting the project promoted by STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi—referred to as “South Yemen” or “Arab South”—highlighting the stark divisions and contradictions within the STC leadership.

He revealed the intention of the UAE-backed “Hadhrami Elite” forces to deploy in Wadi Hadhramaut, which is controlled by Saudi-backed “Dera Al-Wattan” factions and the Islah Party’s forces in the “First Military Region”, which he labeled as terrorist.

The STC vice president launched a fierce attack on the so-called “Change and Liberation Movement” aligned with Turkey, after its recent emergence in the districts of Wadi Hadramout, stating: “The forces trying to present themselves as the voice of change are forbidden from touching Hadramout, [they are] those who represent al-Qaeda and ISIS.”

He concluded by stating that Hadramout is going through a phase of chaos, and that its people can no longer endure the continued failure.

@E.Y.M