STC supporters march toward Aden to break Saudi guardianship

ADEN, June 19 (YPA) – Supporters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) began arriving in the city of Aden on Friday ahead of a planned protest scheduled for Saturday at Al-Aroudh Square.

Convoys of STC supporters moved from Lahj, Shabwa, Abyan, Dhale and other areas toward Aden in response to recent Saudi measures against STC leader Eidrous al-Zubaidi, following repeated attempts to shut down the STC’s headquarters and his office since it was dissolved in early January.

Saudi-backed security forces deployed across Khormaksar district early on Friday, with military vehicles and units positioned to regulate movement and secure key areas ahead of the planned demonstration.

Local reports said STC-aligned forces, including units such as  Al-Amaliqa Brigades and Security Belt Forces, were also present in the city as part of the broader security deployment.

The planned protest comes in response to recent Saudi-backed developments, including a request by the Saudi-backed government’s UN envoy to the UN Security Council to place Eidrous al-Zubaidi and his associates on sanctions lists, as well as a decision by the Aden-based attorney general to freeze the STC’s funds and bank accounts, reportedly based on a proposal from the Saudi “Special Committee.”

Organizers of the demonstration also called for the release of STC-affiliated political and military figures detained in Riyadh since earlier this year following consultations described as part of a “southern dialogue” process.

@E.Y.M