Saudi preparations for military parade seen as blow to STC in Aden

ADEN, May 08 (YPA) – Political sources have revealed major Saudi preparations for a military event, describing it as a decisive blow to the “dissolved” Southern Transitional Council’s project in Aden and other southern provinces.

Journalist and political activist Badawi Al-Jabal Al-Mansouri said arrangements are underway for a military parade marking the 36th anniversary of Yemeni unification at Al-Oroudh Square in Aden’s Khormaksar district.

According to Al-Mansouri, the preparations are being overseen directly by Rashad Al-Alimi, the head of Saudi -backed “Presidential Leadership Council” and Taher Al-Aqili, Defense Minister in coordination with the Saudi military representative in Aden, Falah Al-Shahrani.

In a post on Facebook, Al-Mansouri stated that the planned parade would feature factions affiliated with the “Dera Al-Watan” forces led by Bassam Al-Mahdhar, with the participation of the Fourth Military Region command, recently assigned to Salafi commander Hamdi Shukri Al-Subaihi.

The developments come after the removal of pro-STC commander Fadl Al-Omari Al-Radafani, who was reportedly detained in Riyadh following his dismissal.

Al-Mansouri also expected Al-Alimi to return to Aden in the coming days to attend the event, amid growing speculation over the implications of the reported military display, which some observers view as a move aimed at ending the UAE-backed STC’s separatist ambitions and calls for restoring pre-unification divisions prior to May 22, 1990.

Earlier this week, Saudi-backed forces reportedly removed images of STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi and the group’s slogans from Al-Oroudh Square following an STC-organized public gathering in Aden.

@E.Y.M