President Al-Zubaidi Participates in 'Unite for Tolerance and Human Fraternity to Combat Extremism' Conference in Geneva (Full Text of President's Address)

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has participated in the conference themed "Unite for Tolerance and Human Fraternity to Combat Extremism," which was launched today, Tuesday, in Geneva and organized by the International Organization for Least Developed Countries (IOLDCs).

President Al-Zubaidi's virtual address in the conference, which is attended by a select group of leaders, experts, and international figures dedicated to combating extremism and terrorism. The full text of his speech is as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.

It is an immense pleasure to join you today as we mark the start of a new year with fresh hopes for peace and stability. Our participation in this forum reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting the values of peace and tolerance, which we strive to promote worldwide. The people of South Yemen have accumulated their unrelenting struggles on this solid foundation—a path of reconciliation and tolerance, adopting it as a noble principle to pursue their aspirations for freedom, independence, and a dignified life.

Distinguished attendees,

For years, South Yemen has been grappling with a multifaceted security challenge against extremist groups that threaten our safety and regional stability, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, alongside the threats posed by the Houthi terrorist militia. Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to combating extremism and terrorism—not only in defense of our homeland but also to safeguard the security and stability of the entire region and the world and promote the values of peace and tolerance.

All attendees,

Our forces, though relatively inexperienced with limited resources, are engaged in fierce battles against terrorist organizations with steadfast determination and across various battle fronts. Over the past three years, they have endured the heavy toll of frequent attacks, resulting in 6,794 casualties, including both martyrs and wounded. Tragically, approximately 55% of these casualties are civilians.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The terrorist groups we face in South Yemen are not a recent phenomenon. Their activities began in 1990, which saw the mobilization and gathering of Arab Afghans to invade and overrun the South in the summer of 1994. Following this, these elements were settled in various parts of the South, the Yemen and the broader region, forming not only a local threat but also becoming part of a global network aimed at destabilizing regional and international security.

The terrorist groups we face in southern Yemen are not a recent phenomenon. Their activities began in 1990, when Afghan Arabs were mobilized and assembled to invade and overrun the south in the summer of 1994. Following this, these elements were settled in various parts of southern Yemen and the broader region, forming not only a local threat but also becoming part of a global network aimed at destabilizing regional and international security.

We have seen how these organizations have targeted international interests, starting with the attack on the American destroyer USS Cole in the year 2000, the terrorist operations that affected civilians in Paris, the September 11 attacks in New York, and up to the recent attacks carried out by the terrorist Houthi militias to target the security of international maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The geographical location of South Yemen makes it a vital strategic point for regional and international security. These groups do not merely seek to entrench their presence on the ground but also aim to control the coastline of the Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab strait, and the Gulf of Aden, enabling them to impose their conditions on international trade and carry out cross-border terrorist operations. The repercussions of this are not limited to Yemen alone but extend to global maritime security and the movement of navigation on which the international economy depends. The recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red and Arabian Seas are a clear example of the threats facing the entire region.

In South Yemen, we stand on the front lines of combating extremism and terrorism, defending regional and international security and stability, with the support and assistance of our brothers in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite the importance of these efforts in safeguarding shared interests, we believe that there is an urgent need to strengthen international partnership, especially from our friends in the West, to back this decisive battle at the military, political, and media levels. Confronting terrorism requires a coordinated global response, and we hope to see greater cooperation that reflects a shared commitment to combating extremism and ensuring security and stability for all, as leaving those groups to operate freely in the country will make it a launchpad to threaten global security.

In South Yemen, we have been advocates for peace, not war. For decades, the capital, Aden, and the regions of the South have been havens for peace, coexistence, and harmony. We have only taken up arms recently to make a virtue of necessity to defend ourselves and our land after it was attacked by the hand of terrorism, represented by the Houthi militias, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and their allied groups. Today, we seek to secure our regions and actively participate in maintaining international peace and security and to live in peace with everyone in a region where security and stability prevail. We strive to establish a model in the South that will be a starting point for peace and diversity in the region, and we will restore Aden's historical status as a capital and a role model for human fraternity.

In a nutshell, dear ladies and gentlemen,

In the south, while we deeply appreciate the support of our regional partners, we highlight the need for an effective international partnership to combat terrorism and extremism, including strengthening security and intelligence cooperation, supporting stabilization and reconstruction efforts, and providing political and media support for our just cause.

We also call on the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach in dealing with the situation in Yemen so that it includes supporting the paths of dialogue and peace alongside military efforts to combat terrorism. Like all peoples, we aspire to a future characterized by peace, democracy, and pluralism, free from violence and extremism.

Our battle is not merely a local one; rather, it is a front line in safeguarding global security and stability. While we reaffirm our commitment to the well-seated principles of peace, we believe that coordinated and effective international support will have a decisive impact on achieving security and stability in the country.

We pray to Allah that peace, stability, and prosperity prevail over our beloved homeland and all the peoples of the world.

Thank you, and peace, mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you all.