Tens of thousands of people gathered in Seiyun City, located in the Hadhramaut governorate, to call on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to declare “South Arabia” a sovereign state. The rally reflects ongoing local sentiment advocating for independence and greater autonomy for southern Yemen.
The demonstrations come in the wake of recent military operations by the STC, which has intensified its control over the region. The group, previously aligned with anti-Muslim Brotherhood sentiments, now maintains authority over territories that comprised the independent South Yemen state from 1967 until unification with North Yemen in 1990.
The rally underscores the continued political and social tensions in southern Yemen, where calls for independence have persisted amid longstanding disagreements with the central government. The STC’s expanding control raises questions about the future political landscape and potential outcomes for those seeking sovereignty.
Officials from the STC have yet to formally declare independence, but the large-scale mobilizations demonstrate significant support for the movement’s goals. The situation remains fluid, with regional and international actors closely monitoring developments in southern Yemen.