President Al-Zubaidi Attends Celebration Event Organized by Southern Community in Michigan Honoring 2nd Visit to USA

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), attended today, Sunday, a celebration event of the Southern community in the US state of Michigan on the occasion of honoring his excellency's second visit and the delegation accompanying him to the USA, amidst a warm welcome from the Southern community.

President Al-Zubaidi delivered a keynote address at the celebration event, the full text of which is as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the praise of Allah and His peace be on Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], his family, and Companions.

My dear Brothers and Sisters of the Southern Community members in Michigan, 

First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who helped organize this gathering and to all those who attended from this state and beyond. I am also grateful for the warm hospitality and gracious welcome we have received since our arrival. This is nothing new from our loved ones living abroad in various states of the USA.

My fellows, ambassadors of the South in this city,

It is with immense pride that I witness your accomplishments and the esteemed position you have attained within this nation. Your achievements are a testament to the capabilities, distinction, and transformative power of our migrants of the South. Your significant presence in this great country proves to the world that the Southern individual is capable of innovation, excellence, and leadership in any time or place. Throughout history, Southerners have ventured to the far corners of the Earth, leaving their distinctive mark wherever they go. They have always been a source of pride and honor for our nation, dedicated ambassadors who bear the cause of our people close to the deepest bottom of their hearts.

Ladies and gentlemen,

From this podium, we reiterate our gratitude and appreciation for your unwavering support in this state and across the USA. You have been and continue to be the backbone of our people, both at home and abroad, throughout every phase of our Southern liberation revolution. We remain hopeful that you will step up to play your pioneering roles and maintain your patriotic stances in supporting the unrelenting struggles of our people and their endeavors to restore and build their independent sovereign state. It is high time that you transfer the knowledge, experience, and skills you have acquired to your homeland to contribute to its progress and state-building.

All the attendees:

This year, we have gathered in New York, the center of international decision-making, bearing the burdens and aspirations of our people in their quest to restore and rebuild their state. We will spare no effort in continuing this political and struggle-filled path to assure the world that the decisions we make have been and will definitely remain in response to the sterling will, demands, and ultimate goals of our people of the South. Moreover, the steadfastness and resilience of our people in the face of the all-encompassing war launched against them on all military, service, political, and media fronts only serves to reinforce these fateful choices.

Dear all gathered here,

Our revolutionary train has departed and will not stop until the restoration and construction of a fully sovereign South state is achieved, encompassing all its territory and internationally recognized borders that existed prior to May 21, 1990. A modern federal state that respects rights and freedoms, safeguards the interests of its people, and respects neighboring countries, ensuring regional and international security and interests. This is a pledge we have made to ourselves, and it is we who will fulfill it with Allah's will and through our rapprochement and cohesiveness. No force on Earth can compel us to remain in a situation we do not accept, regardless of the cost. Our destiny is shaped by the pure blood that has watered the soil of our sacred land. The land is ours, the decision is ours, and it is we who will determine our choices, whether through peace or war.

Dear members of our community,

While we are in this state, the heroes of our valient Southern Armed Forces are striving to make epics of bravery in the battle to safeguard peace and stability within the borders of our Southern homeland. With courage and determination, they counter terrorist organizations and Houthi militias and thwart their plots that target our people, our identity, and the security and stability of our state and the region.

Distinguished guests,

No doubt the current policy of de-escalation—at any cost—pursued towards the Houthi terrorist militias since 2021, based on the hope of fostering goodwill, has emboldened these groups to undertake increasingly dangerous terrorist activities. Their latest actions, including targeting international shipping lanes in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, have introduced grave complexities to the region.

Had the firm policy supported by the United States and its regional allies prior to 2021 continued, the current situation would likely have been avoided. This period was marked by concrete measures that significantly curtailed the capabilities of these terrorist militias and their Iranian backers. The US former Donald Trump's landmark decision to designate the Houthis as global terrorists and a foreign terrorist organization. It was a significant step in this direction. Had this decision been built upon and deterrent measures persisted, the Houthis would not be in a position to threaten regional and global interests as they do today.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The flying colors achievements of our forces in the battle against terrorist and extremist groups like the Houthi militia, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS, make them worthy of support and care from the international community, led by the United States. This support will enable them to continue their effective efforts in this regard, enhance their ability to confront growing terrorist threats, and maintain regional stability. Such stability not only serves the interests of the South but also contributes to global security. In conclusion, I call on our people to have greater cohesiveness, alignment, patience, and coalescing around our armed forces and security services. We must remain vigilant against the conspiracies hatched by opposing forces seeking to tear apart the fabric of Southern society and undermine our national liberation project.

All the best and peace, mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you,