Aden, Yemen – The interim capital, Aden, witnessed escalating tensions on Thursday as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched a protest program under the banner “Southern Anger Stand.” The program targeted the government headquarters at the Ma’ashiq Presidential Palace. It protested what the STC described as “exclusionary policies.”
Protests in front of “Maashiq”
The executive body of the Southern Transitional Council in Aden organized morning
and evening protests in front of the gate of the Ma’ashiq Palace in the Sirah district.
The body affirmed that this action expresses the “southern popular will” and rejects the Presidential Leadership Council and the government’s violation of the foundations of the political partnership.
Meanwhile, activists on social media circulated videos from the vicinity of the palace showing a tense atmosphere.
These scenes were accompanied by slogans calling for a “second independence”
and the restoration of the state of South Yemen.
Additionally, cameras captured what observers considered disrespectful acts
against the sovereign symbols of the Republic of Yemen at the entrances to the presidential compound.
Rejection of the “northern presence”
This escalation followed a high-level meeting of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Aden.
At the meeting, the STC explicitly rejected the convening of the government
and prohibited any cabinet sessions from being held in the city.
Furthermore, it reiterated its rejection of the presence of officials from northern governorates
within the government and the STC’s leadership council in Aden.
The STC described the recent appointments made by the head of the leadership council as “unilateral actions.”
It stated that these actions sidelined its representatives and violated the provisions of the constitutional declaration.
Critical timing and open scenarios
This escalation comes a day after Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani arrived in Aden to assume his official duties.
Observers believe that shifting the dispute from closed-door meetings to the streets represents
a “real test of the balance of power” on the ground between the government,
which is striving to consolidate its institutional presence, and the Southern Transitional Council, which is clinging to its control on the ground.
This escalation presents the southern governorates with complex challenges.
While some see the need for an urgent political settlement that redefines
the concept of “partnership,” others fear a slide into sharp polarization.
This polarization could paralyze public services and threaten the fragile security situation in the city.
