President Al-Zubaidi Conducts Wide-Ranging Meeting with Various Segments and Sectors of Hadramout

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), held an expanded meeting with diverse segments of Hadhrami society, attended by Mr. Mubarak Mabkhout Bin Madi, Governor of the Governorate.

President Al-Zubaidi delivered a keynote address at the meeting attended by Mr. Ali Al-Kathiri, Chairman of the National Assembly of the STC, alongside members of the STC's Presidium, ministers, directors of government authorities and institutions, local authority officials, local leadership executive bodies (LLEBs) of the STC in the governorate, academicians, and prominent social personalities, highlighting the strategic importance of Hadhramout and its central role in advancing the path of unrelenting struggles of the South.

The president underscored that his visit, along with the accompanying ministerial delegation, serves as a gesture of appreciation and recognition for Hadramout and its people, who had the prominent role in triggering the spark of the Southern Revolution and confronting tyranny.

President Al-Zubaidi stated, “Our presence in Al-Mukalla today reaffirms our support for the legitimate demands of Hadramout’s people and our unwavering commitment to steadfastly stand with them to govern and secure their governorate from threats and challenges," noting that the STC has been at the forefront of advocating for Hadramout’s demands since the historic Aden Declaration in May 2017, culminating in the matrix of demands endorsed by the liaison committee tasked with advocating the rights and achieving demands of Hadhramaut, following the STC’s expanded leadership meeting in September 2024.

President Al-Zubaidi further touched on the economic challenges facing the governorate, stressing that the ongoing war and violations by the Houthi militias and their allies aim to cripple the capabilities of the South, especially the oil facilities in Hadramaut and Shabwah, adding, "Our people of the South will never give up and will definitely prevail by their sterling will against all futile attempts to subjugate them, and they are going to seize control of their wealth and resources."

In this context, President Al-Zubaidi reiterated the STC, through its sharing of power in the PLC and the government, will spare no effort to alleviate the suffering of the people of Hadramaut and work with the local authority to improve public services, strengthen revenue streams, and encourage investment to serve citizens and advance the governorate.

President Al-Zubaidi praised the heroic role of the Hadhrami elite force (HEF) in safeguarding security and stability, underscoring the necessity to strengthen their capabilities and ensure their full deployment across all the governorates. In the same context, his Excellency expressed gratitude to Arab Coalition allies, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for their ongoing support to Hadhramaut and its security services.

The President continued his address by renewing the STC's pledge to uphold Hadhramaut’s rights and defend the demands of its people, stressing the importance of cohesiveness and solidarity among its citizens, and called for bolstering regional and international collaborations to fulfill development and lasting stability.

President Al-Zubaidi declared, “We are directly engaged with you in this governorate—the land of ancient civilization and divine messages—which we must collectively safeguard through state institutions. Hadramout governs itself through its local leaders and its people."

President Al-Zubaidi stated that the PLC had formed a committee to find out about ongoing challenges in the governorate, explaining, "No one expected the situation to reach this level, as Hadramout is regarded as a land of peace and stability, but there are limits to patience, and we will never tolerate security and stability within it to be destabilized."

The President added, "We will never overlook the mobilized public mandate by the people of Hadramout. We may even go beyond our official powers for the sake of Hadramout if it is required. The people of this governorate have suffered from terrorism, and we will not tolerate its resurgence through illegitimate militias operating outside state control. We will decisively confront any threat with full force."

The President declared, “Our hearts are widely open and hands outstretched for dialogue. The dialogue team has engaged in talks and will continue its efforts with all components, first and foremost the Inclusive Hadramout Conference, which hasn't responded yet, despite frequent invitations extended to them. However, we are ready to pursue our efforts for Hadramout, considering them as the pillar of the coming state of the South.”

The President urged Hadramout’s people to resolve their disputes internally with no interference from anyone,” reaffirming that all would stand united with them as conflict today is over oil—and Hadramout has the right to its own resources.”

The president elaborated that the Houthi militia has been officially designated as a full-fledged terrorist organization” and will face crippling economic and political sanctions, and it is now attempting to shift its conflict from the frontlines into the governorates, including Hadramout, and it has a direct hand in what is happening in the governorate—and the proof is irrefutable, so cohesiveness is an urgency to smash this threat before it spreads.

President Al-Zubaidi concluded his address, stating that Hadramout Valley is deeply lodged in the heart of every Southerner—and it will not be relinquished, and there will be a visit in the near future.