Dozens of Saudi-aligned security recruits rally in Aden

ADEN, Feb. 05 (YPA) – Dozens of Saudi-aligned security recruits in Aden city, south of Yemen, gathered on Thursday at Al Aroudh Square in the Khor Maksar district to protest against what they described as financial discrimination.

In a massive rally, they called for an end to disparities in treatment compared to other factions, demanding the payment of overdue salaries in Saudi riyals—consistent with the compensation received by other groups.

The protesters raised slogans condemning what they termed a “policy of neglect” amid severe economic hardship in Aden and other southern provinces.

They warned of escalating measures unless their full financial rights were honored, rejecting any temporary solutions that fail to address their overdue payments and long-term financial security.

The recruits emphasized their worsening living conditions, particularly with Ramadan approaching.

In a separate demonstration on the same day, leaders of the now-dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, organized a protest in Radfan area of Lahj province. A final statement issued by participants firmly rejected Saudi Arabia’s announcement dissolving the council, declaring the move “invalid and illegal.”

The statement also denounced attempts to divide southern unity and circumvent core issues, calling on international organizations to document alleged Saudi airstrikes against the STC in Hadramout, Mahra, and Dhalea provinces during January.

Additionally, the protesters demanded the immediate release of Saudi-led coalition-backed Aden government’s Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Dairi, who remains under house arrest in Riyadh, and voiced opposition to the return of Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi to Aden.

The STC’s leaders and demonstrators warned of further escalation should efforts to undermine the council’s influence continue.

AA