Wikipedia

Southern Transitional Council

Southern Transitional Council
المجلس الانتقالي الجنوبي (Arabic)
AbbreviationSTC
ChairpersonAidarus al-Zoubaidi[1]
FoundedMay 11, 2017 (2017-05-11)
Split fromSouthern Movement
HeadquartersAden, Yemen
Military wing
Ideology
National affiliationPresidential Leadership Council (PLC) (since April 2022)
Allies
Opponents
Party flag
Website
https://en.stcaden.com/

The Southern Transitional Council (STC; Arabic: المجلس الانتقالي الجنوبي, romanized: al-Majlis al-Intiqālī al-Janūbī) is a Yemeni political organization. Formed as a faction of the Southern Movement, it was established on 11 May 2017, and has called for the secession of a proposed federal "State of South Arabia" from the rest of the nation along the borders of former South Yemen, with the name being inspired from the British-created Federation of South Arabia.[11] The organization is backed by the United Arab Emirates.[12]

The council is headed by the former Governor of Aden Governorate, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, as chairman,[1] with former minister of state and militant Salafi Islamist, Hani bin Burayk, as vice president.[13][14] The formation of the council was authorized a week earlier by the "Historic Declaration", announced at a rally protesting the dismissal of al-Zoubaidi from his post as governor. The STC, a major party to the Yemeni Civil War, controls all of the territories of the former South Yemeni state.[15][16][17][18] The 26 members of the STC include the governors of five southern governorates and two government ministers.

In April 2022, STC joined the Presidential Leadership Council, after then-Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi resigned and transferred presidential powers to the newly formed body. STC head Aidarus al-Zoubaidi became the Vice President of the new government.[19][20] The STC increased its influence in the council by enlarging its membership to three out of the eight, through internal reorganization in May 2023.[21]

History

[edit]
See also: South Yemen

In 1914, following the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, the United Kingdom and Ottoman Empire divided Arabian Peninsula into two parts: the northwest under Ottoman control and influence, and the southeast under British control and influence.[22] The UK established the Aden Colony in 1937 and a Federation of the Emirates of South Arabia in 1959 which evolved into the Federation of South Arabia in 1963. Following an armed rebellion, British forces withdrew from southern Yemen in November 1967, resulting in the independence of the People's Republic of Southern Yemen which later became the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970. The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and neighbouring Yemen Arab Republic merged in May 1990 as the Republic of Yemen. Southern separatists proclaimed a Democratic Republic of Yemen in May 1994, however the attempted succession was defeated in July that year.

Formation

[edit]
See also: Yemeni civil war (2014–present)

On 27 April 2017, President Hadi dismissed Aidarus al-Zoubaidi from his post as governor of Aden Governorate due to his close ties with the United Arab Emirates, which President Hadi described as "acting like occupiers" in Aden.[23] This was met with large demonstrations in the city in support of the deposed but popular Zoubaidi.[24]

In 4 May 2017, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi announced a speech which the STC describes as the "Aden Historic Declaration" (Arabic: إعلان عدن التاريخي, romanized: Iʿlān ʿAdan at-Tārīḵiyy). The speech was delivered in Aden's Freedom Square (Arabic: ساحة الحرية, romanized: sahat alhuriya), formerly known as Exhibition Square in Khormaksar district.[25][26]

With the help and support of the United Arab Emirates, the STC was formed on 11 May 2017 with al-Zoubaidi as its leader.[27] Immediately, President Hadi called the council illegitimate.[28][16][29][30]

Capture of Aden

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Beginning on 28 January 2018, forces loyal to the STC seized control of the Yemeni government headquarters in Aden in a coup d'état against the Hadi government.[31][32]

In January 2018, as the head of the STC, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi announced a state of emergency in Aden and that "the STC has begun the process of overthrowing Hadi's rule over the South".[33]

On 27 August 2019, tensions continued to escalate in southern Yemen after the UAE-backed Security Belt Forces (SBF) lost territories to troops loyal to the Saudi-backed government of President Hadi. The troops advanced on the capital Aden and instead of engaging in street fighting, took positions outside of the city in order to prevent civilian casualties. On 29 August 2019, to stop government forces from advancing and reclaiming the capital, the UAE carried out airstrikes on government positions outside of Aden, which killed and injured over 300 government soldiers.

Despite membership in the coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, the UAE fell out with Hadi's government after the former accused Hadi of aligning with the powerful Islah party, which the UAE viewed as ideologically close to the Muslim Brotherhood.[citation needed]

Post-Riyadh Agreement

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The flag of South Yemen raised atop a government building in Seiyun in December 2025.

On 5 November 2019, the STC and the Yemeni government signed the Riyadh Agreement, which resulted in the latter recognizing the former's legitimacy and allowing them into the government, in exchange for the STC withdrawing militarily from Aden and giving up some security control in the south of the country.[34] It followed the Southern Yemen clashes of August 2019, with the goal of ending the fighting and establishing a united front against the Houthi rebels.[35]

The STC declared self-governance on 26 April 2020.[36] The government said local and security authorities in the provinces of Hadramaut, Abyan, Shabwa, al-Mahra, and the island of Socotra dismissed the move as a "clear and definite coup".[37] In Aden, the movement's attempt was successful, as it occupied all governmental institutions.[38]

To deal with the infighting between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, a new cabinet was formed with the backing of neighbouring Saudi Arabia.[39] The formation of the new unity government in December 2020, which includes equal numbers of representatives from each region of Yemen's northern and southern areas, was the result of over a year's worth of intense negotiations mediated by the Saudis, and was meant to end the infighting so that the two sides could fight together against the Houthi rebels in the ongoing civil war.[40][41]

In April 2022, STC formally became part of the Presidential Leadership Council, the new governing body of the Republic of Yemen established after the resignation of the former president. STC head Aidarus al-Zoubaidi became the new Vice President.[19][20] During the STC congress held between 4–8 May 2023, the "Southern National Pact" was adopted, demanding the incorporation of the Southern Movement in the Yemeni peace process under an "independent framework". Houthi insurgents vehemently denounced the congress and its resolutions. Nevertheless, STC managed to increase its share in the Presidential Leadership Council to three members out of the total eight seats.[42]

In December 2023, the Southern Transitional Council reportedly said that it was willing to cooperate with Israel to fight against the Houthi ship attacks.[43]

On 25 September 2025, the STC called for a "two-state solution" to the Yemeni civil war. STC president Aidarus al-Zubaidi said that such an agreement would be the best path towards peace and stability, as he believed there was "no prospect" of dislodging the Houthis from Northern Yemen and that the country was already effectively divided into two states.[44]

Renewed 2025 offensive

[edit]

On 2 December 2025, the STC launched an offensive across southern Yemen, codenamed "Operation Promising Future",[45] and by 8 December, had captured most of the territory comprising the 6 governorates of the former South Yemen. The STC declared its intention to continue advancing until it captures the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa.[46] In the immediate aftermath of the offensive, Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi and prime minister Salem Saleh bin Braik left Aden for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[47]

Following the offensive, rallies and sit-ins were held in Aden and other cities demanding the re-establishment of an independent state in South Yemen.[48][49] By 21 December several ministers in the Yemeni cabinet had issued statements supporting southern independence and STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi had declared that the "next stage will be the stage of building institutions of the future state of South Arabia".[50][51][52] In response the chair of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, stated that these ministers had "exceeded their functional responsibilities" and ordered legal action against "violations undermining state authority".[53]

Territorial control

[edit]
Territorial control during the Yemeni Civil War. Territory controlled by the STC and allies shown in yellow and orange.

As of 8 December 2025, the STC controls most of the territory of the former South Yemen, i.e. the present day governorates of Aden, Lahij, Dhale (part), Abyan, Shabwah, Hadhramawt, Al Mahrah and Socotra.[54][55][56]

Administration

[edit]

Presidential Commission

[edit]

An STC Presidential Commission was announced in May 2017 and as of May 2023 has 26 members with Aidarus al-Zoubaidi serving as president and Hani Bin Breik as vice-president.[57][58]

In 2017 the membership of the Presidential Commission was as follows:[59][60]

Name Position or profession
Aidarus al-Zoubaidi President
Hani bin Breik Vice-president
Fadhl al-Ghadi Governor for Dhale
Lutfi Bashareef Minister for Communications
Murad al-Hallemy Minister for Transport
Hamid Lamlas Governor for Shabwah
Nasser al-Khobbaki Governor for Lahij
Ahmed bin Breik Governor for Hadramout
Saleh al-Awlaqi Parliamentarian
Abdulhadi Shayif Economist
Abdullah Arefarar Representative for Socotra
Abdurrab al-Naqeep Representative for Yafa
Adnan al-Kaaf Member of Parliament for Aden
Ahmed al-Socotry Governor for Socotra
Mona Basharaheed Professor of Literature
Aqel al-Attas Activist
Lutfi Shatara Journalist
Sahair Ali Professor of Law
Ahmed Bamuallem Brigadier General and representative for Hadramaut
Abdurahman Shaikh Member of Parliament for Aden
Salem al-Awlaqi Activist
Ameen Saleh Activist
Nasser Assadi Brigadier General
Ali Ashaibah Brigadier General
Niran Suqi Jurist
Ali al-Kathiri Representative of the Southern Movement

National Assembly

[edit]

The National Assembly, established in December 2017, is a deliberative body consisting of 303 members representing the districts and governorates of southern Yemen, it is chaired by member of the STC's presidency Ali Al-Kathiri.[61]

Human rights

[edit]
Main articles: United Arab Emirates war crimes and United Arab Emirates occupation of Socotra
UAE and STC-operated roadblock in Socotra

Amnesty International has reported a series of human rights concerns in areas under the control of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Since 2023, the authorities in Aden have introduced restrictions on civil society organizations, requiring permits from STC-run bodies for public activities. According to Amnesty, these permit requirements often involved extensive reporting obligations and were sometimes used to limit funding or deny approval for organizations perceived as politically opposed to the STC.[62]

In some cases, events organized by non-governmental organizations were prevented from taking place, or were halted after approval had been granted. Venues were reportedly ordered to close events mid-way without explanation.[62] Civil society groups have also reported reduced access to funding and increased self-censorship in response to the restrictions.[62]

Human rights defenders and journalists have been targets of the STC's security forces arbitrary detention. On 16 November 2023, lawyer Sami Yassin Ka’id Marsh was arrested by STC security forces as he was leaving work. He was detained without charge at the al-Nasr military camp, an unofficial facility, held incommunicado, and reportedly subjected to torture and prolonged solitary confinement. In March 2024, he was transferred to Aden's Bir Ahmad prison, where a leaked photograph showed him seriously ill in a hospital bed, raising concerns for his health and wellbeing. Amnesty International reported that he was subjected to torture and prolonged solitary confinement.[63]

On 26 May 2024, armed individuals affiliated with the STC and the Southern Women Union took control of the Yemeni Women Union centre in Aden, a shelter for survivors of gender-based violence. Staff and residents were expelled, and access to the premises was blocked.[64]

See also

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References

[edit]
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Bibliography

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