STC Acting President Chairs Joint Meeting with Local Authority Officials, Security Services, and Military Forces in the Capital, Aden

Mr. Ali Abdullah Al-Kathiri, Acting President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Chairman of the National Assembly, chaired today, Tuesday, a joint meeting with local authority officials, military and security commanders, district general directors, and civil society committees in the capital, Aden, to focus on the recent developments of the public situation in the capital, Aden, in light of the popular congestion and protest escalation fueled by the sharp deterioration in basic services.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Al-Kathiri reiterated that the STC has always stood—and will continue to stand—with the people, their legitimate demands, and citizens' full right to peaceful expression in protest of the prevailing circumstances, on the condition that such expression is conducted in accordance with legal frameworks and established regulations.

Al-Kathiri commended the military forces and security services for their exemplary conduct and high discipline in dealing with public anger and protests that swept through the capital, Aden, over the past two days. He lauded their efforts in safeguarding demonstrators while preventing any acts of sabotage against public or private property.

Al-Kathiri cautioned that opposing forces are attempting to exploit public discontent to sow chaos and undermine security while falsely blaming the STC and security services for the current crisis and highlighted that these parties work according to exposed agendas and will neither be able to undermine the cohesiveness of the integral front of the South nor the resilience of the capital, Aden.

Al-Kathiri stated that President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi is closely following the deteriorating service and security conditions in the capital, Aden, and other governorates of the South, and his Excellency has issued directives for all STC ministers abroad to immediately return to the capital, stressing the need to assume responsibility and get closer to citizens' suffering.

Al-Kathiri announced the STC's ministers will hold a press conference in the coming days, during which they will present a clear picture to public opinion about the real reasons for the deterioration of the situation and reveal who is behind the worsening of the crisis, led by PLC Chairman Rashad al-Alimi and Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, as they are primarily responsible for the sharply declining services and living conditions in the capital, Aden, and the liberated areas.

The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations and assignments to bolster security coordination, submit daily reports on the progress of the situation, and intensify communication with the local people and civil society committees to follow up on the developments of the scene firsthand to ensure the stability of the capital, Aden.