Aden, Yemen – The Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen condemned on Sunday what it described as an “arbitrary decision” to close all its offices in the interim capital, Aden. The STC considered the move a political and security escalation against its supporters.
In a statement issued by its Foreign Affairs Committee, the STC said the decision was made by parties within the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council. It indicated that closing the offices and preventing its members from carrying out their duties “not only targets administrative offices, but also represents a systematic attempt to stifle the cause of the South and silence the voice of its people.”
Accusations of violations and escalation
The statement added that these measures are part of a “growing pattern of hostilities against the South.” It pointed to what it described as the killing of peaceful protesters and the arrest campaigns targeting southern journalists and activists in recent times.
The council considered these practices to be “serious violations of domestic and international law, particularly international human rights law.” It also affirmed its intention to take what it termed “all available steps” to hold those responsible accountable.
Warning of security repercussions
The statement noted that these developments come at a time when the UN Security Council and international partners are calling for de-escalation in Yemen. It asserted that the recent actions are “going in the opposite direction” and creating an environment of tension that could be exploited by the Houthi group and extremist groups, thus threatening the security of the South and the region.
In closing, the Southern Transitional Council emphasized its commitment to pursuing a comprehensive political solution. It affirmed that achieving lasting peace “requires empowering the people of the South to determine their own future,” in accordance with what it described as the fundamental principles of the Southern cause, foremost among them the Political Declaration issued on January 2nd and the Southern National Charter.
