A major internal rift has emerged within Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) following a broadcast announcement from Riyadh declaring the group’s dissolution.
STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi stated on Friday that the decision was taken to preserve peace and security in the region, praising Saudi Arabia’s intervention and solutions for the south.
Okay News reports that this announcement was immediately dismissed by STC spokesman Anwar al-Tamimi, who is currently in Abu Dhabi. Tamimi described the claim as “ridiculous” and suggested that the delegation in Riyadh might be under duress, insisting that any decision to disband must come from the full council under its president. He asserted that the council would continue its engagement only after the release of its members currently in Saudi Arabia.
The conflicting narratives come amidst heightened tensions between former allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The STC, which Riyadh alleges is backed by the UAE, launched a military offensive in December, seizing control of oil-rich regions in Hadramout and al-Mahra.
Matters were further complicated on Thursday when the Saudi-led coalition accused STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi of fleeing to the UAE via Somaliland to avoid the talks.
While Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman welcomed the disbanding as a “courageous step,” the STC’s National Assembly has urged supporters to rally in Aden and Mukalla on Saturday to reject what they termed “evasive solutions.”
