Disputed announcement to dissolve Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
4h ago
Yemen’s main southern separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), faced internal dispute over a Riyadh-announced dissolution that its spokesman rejected while supporters were urged to demonstrate in Aden and Mukalla.
Disputed announcement to dissolve Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council
A What happened
STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi announced on Yemeni television that the STC would dissolve, citing preservation of peace and security in the south and neighbouring countries and praising Saudi measures and solutions. STC spokesman Anwar al-Tamimi, in Abu Dhabi, called the announcement “ridiculous,” said decisions required the full council under its president, and said he was out of contact with the Riyadh delegation. The STC National Assembly urged supporters to join Saturday demonstrations in Aden and Mukalla, rejecting “partial or evasive solutions” to the southern cause. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman welcomed the dissolution announcement as a “courageous step” and said it could enable inclusive southern dialogue under Saudi sponsorship.
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Key insights

  • 1

    STC leadership split surfaced over the dissolution claim: Anwar al-Tamimi rejected the dissolution announcement, said he was out of contact with the Riyadh delegation, and said only the full council under its president could make such decisions.

  • 2

    Saudi officials framed dissolution as a step toward Saudi-sponsored dialogue: Khalid bin Salman called the dissolution announcement a “courageous step” and said it could pave the way for inclusive southern dialogue under Saudi sponsorship.

  • 3

    Saudi-UAE tensions were linked to STC military moves and alleged arms shipments: The Saudi-led coalition accused the UAE of smuggling STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi out, and Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government said they struck vessels in Mukalla port they claimed carried UAE-linked weapons shipments to the STC.

Takeaways

The STC’s announced dissolution in Riyadh remained contested inside the group while Saudi officials welcomed the move and STC bodies called for demonstrations in southern Yemeni cities.

Topics

World & Politics International Affairs Diplomacy Conflicts Security & Defense

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