Dozens of STC supporters detained in Mukalla, including “Ba Sanbal”

HADRAMOUT, April 05 (YPA) – A human rights source said on Sunday that forces affiliated with Saudi Arabia detained a teacher in the city of Mukalla, in Hadramout, over his participation in a protest organized by the “dissolved” Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The source identified the detainee as Abdullah Ba Sanbal, saying he was taken by Saudi-backed “emergency” forces and transferred to Al-Manoura prison in Mukalla.

The arrest comes a day after clashes during a protest in the city, which left about five people affiliated with the STC dead, according to the same source.

The source added that a wide arrest campaign has targeted participants in the demonstration, with more than 50 activists reportedly detained from streets and military checkpoints and taken to unknown locations.

Arrests are ongoing, the source said, noting that the protests were held to demand an end to what the demonstrators described as “Saudi guardianship” and to protest the continued detention of abductees since last Wednesday.

Some of those detained are believed to have been transferred to a newly established detention facility at Al-Rayyan Airport, the source added.

Saudi-backed forces have reportedly set conditions for their release, including signing pledges not to participate in future STC protests and acknowledging the peaceful nature of events in Mukalla.

Many detainees, including prominent activists, have refused these conditions, considering them a restriction on their rights to freedom of expression, the source said.

@E.Y.M