STC files complaint against Saudi Arabia at UN over crimes in southern Yemen
ADEN, March 24 (YPA) -The “dissolved” Southern Transitional Council (STC) said it filed a complaint with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, accusing Saudi Arabia of committing violations against its forces in Hadramout, Mahra, and Dhalea late last December that left hundreds dead and wounded, including civilians.
According to the STC’s official website, Amr Al-Bidh, Special Representative of the STC President for Foreign Affairs, met in Geneva with Nadine Sahouri, responsible for the Yemen file in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
During the visit, Al-Bidh submitted a comprehensive file documenting crimes committed by Saudi Arabia against STC-affiliated forces in southern Yemen since late last year.
He also cited incidents in Shabwa that allegedly led to the deaths of hundreds of recruits and civilians, as well as damage to residential areas and infrastructure.
Al-Bidh called for the protection of civilians and measures to mitigate the impact of these developments in southern Yemen.
The STC further raised concerns about public freedoms and human rights, including what it described as Saudi violations against peaceful protesters in Aden.
It stressed the need to uphold citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and peaceful protests.
The STC also emphasized the importance of reorganizing the so-called “security and military system,” warning of potential repercussions for stability and security conditions in the southern governorates. I
It urged maintaining the current balance and avoiding steps that could trigger escalation or instability, particularly with forces loyal to Riyadh.
The developments come amid an escalation by Saudi Arabia against the STC since December, during which Saudi forces reportedly carried out intensive airstrikes targeting UAE-backed STC forces after they advanced into districts of Wadi Hadramout and took control of camps belonging to Islah Party forces in the “First Military Region.”
The strikes left hundreds dead and wounded, most from Radfan and Dhalea. Reports said Aidarus al-Zoubaidi fled Aden by sea to Somalia before heading to Abu Dhabi after refusing to travel to Riyadh, according to a statement attributed to Saudi forces earlier this year.
@E.Y.M