President Al-Zubaidi Delivers Key Address to People of the South at Home and Abroad on 62nd Glorious October Revolution Anniversary

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces, and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), delivered a speech on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the glorious October 14 Revolution.

The full text of the speech is below:

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

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His noble Messenger, his family, and all his companions.

To the proud masses of our people of the South,

To the free and honorable, both at home and abroad,

To the guardians of the revolution and architects of victory, those who wrote in history pages of glory and sacrifice,

Peace and blessings be upon you all.

On this glorious October evening, it gives me great pleasure to extend to you all my warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations on the 62nd anniversary of the glorious October 14 Revolution, which ignited from the lofty mountains of Radfan on this very day in 1963, marking the dawn of a new era in our people’s unrelenting struggle for freedom and dignity—an era crowned by seizing our first independence on November 30, 1967.

O masses of our people across all our beloved South,

The October 14 Revolution was not merely a fleeting political event but rather a profound embodiment of national awareness, sincere faith in the justice of the cause, an unyielding belief in the inevitability of victory, and a firm resolve that neither faltered nor broke.

That revolution represented a comprehensive model of organization, leadership, and sacrifice, and successfully formulated the concept of organized armed struggle and united the Southern ranks on the basis of faith in the homeland, freedom, and sovereignty.

Today, as we celebrate its 62nd anniversary, we draw from its spirit the values of selflessness, cohesiveness, national alignment, and a deep belief that resolute willpower can achieve the impossible and overcome even the most formidable colonial power, as was the case then.

Indeed, our people—through their courage, steadfastness, and determination—are today more resolved and convinced than ever that the independence of the South is inevitable, no matter how severe the challenges or how fierce the conspiracies. Nothing will deter us from proceeding on the journey to restore and rebuild our state, which was lost during a moment of historical lapse—one for which our people have paid, and continue to pay, a heavy price.

Our great people of the South,

Together, and with your support, we have achieved significant accomplishments over the past decade on military, security, and political fronts, liberating the land, building up the Southern Armed Forces, and embarking on the reconstruction of our national institutions. The STC was emanated to represent the cause of the people of the South, express their national aspirations, and responsibly manage the battles of politics, defense, and national representation—anchored by the popular mandate and the overwhelming Southern consensus rallying around its leadership and goals.

The STC has succeeded in restoring the fabric of Southern cohesiveness after decades of fragmentation and exclusion, reviving in the collective Southern consciousness its identity and national values, and has shouldered the responsibility of navigating a complex phase entangled with domestic, regional, and international projects. Yet, it has remained steadfast on upholding a clear principle: that the South shall only be governed by its own people and determined solely by the will of its free people.

O brave freedom fighters everywhere,

The Southern National Dialogue, which we launched just months after the founding of the STC and adopted as a consistent approach to unify our ranks and shape our common future, was crowned by the adoption of the Southern National Charter during the grand Southern Consultative Meeting two years ago. This event marked a historic turning point in the march of our national struggle—one aimed at reclaiming identity and sovereignty, based on firm foundations and solid principles that place the interests and choices of our people above all else, and that lay the groundwork for a state of freedom, justice, and rule of law.

From this standpoint, we reassure all Southerners—in the capital Aden, in Hadhramaut, Al-Mahra, Shabwa, Abyan, Lahj, Socotra, Al-Dhale'a, and across every part of our beloved homeland—that the STC stands firmly by your side, defending your cause and rights, and remains your partner in realizing your aspirations for development, justice, security, and stability.

To our partners in the battle against Houthi terrorism,

We reiterate that the South—whose steadfastness thwarted the expansionist ambitions of the Iranian-backed Houthi project—has been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of the battle against this terrorist threat. We remain committed to this joint fight, while simultaneously upholding our full and inalienable right to restore and build our independent state, in accordance with the will of our people.

O our brothers and people in Al-Bayda, Ibb, Mokha, Tihama, Saada, and all areas standing against oppression,

We say to you with sincerity and conviction: we are with you, by your side. We will never abandon you in the face of tyranny and aggression. You are of us, and we are of you. You will find in the STC, in the people of the South, and in their armed forces, a loyal and unwavering ally. You are our strategic depth and natural extension, and we will not hesitate to support you until your lands are free and secure, crowned with dignity and pride.

To our honorable brothers and strategic allies, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,

We take this opportunity to reiterate our gratitude for your genuine support of our people. We reaffirm that the STC remains a strategic partner in supporting peace efforts, combating terrorism, and securing international maritime routes. We will continue to coordinate fully with you in pursuit of security and stability for our homeland and the wider region.

Verily, the STC also reassures the region and the international community of its full commitment to supporting efforts for peace and stability—whether through peaceful means or, if necessary, through resolute defense—while ensuring that the South is represented as a principal actor and irreplaceable party in any future political process. We extend our hand to all who believe in a just peace—a peace grounded in respect for the will of peoples and recognition of the legitimate right of our people of the South to realize their aspirations and restore their state.

To the heroes of our Southern Armed Forces and security services,

We salute you with pride and deep respect. You are the direct heirs to the legacy of the October and November revolutionaries—defenders of dignity and sovereignty, and the steadfast shield of the homeland. We honor your firm resilience in the fields of valor and sacrifice, in defense of the South, its identity, and the legacy of its blessed martyrs. Your heroism, patience, steadfastness, and sacrifices will forever remain beacons guiding future generations until complete victory is achieved, and the flag of the South is raised high over every inch of our pure Southern land of the South, God willing.

To the proud women of the South,

On this momentous occasion, we reiterate our pride in your pioneering and heroic role, which you have inscribed in bright chapters of our national liberation journey. You have always been, and will continue to be, symbols of resilience and generosity—standing shoulder to shoulder with men on the frontlines of the revolution, in education, healthcare, community work, and in laying the foundations of our free Southern society.

We, in the leadership of the STC, reaffirm our full commitment to empowering women and strengthening their active role across political, economic, and social spheres—in recognition of their sacrifices and in belief in their pivotal role in shaping the future.

To the promising youth of the South,

O you who carry the torch of the revolution, the spirit of hope, and the will to build. You lead the frontlines as guardians of the homeland. We believe our true investment lies in you, this ambitious generation, and we pledge to stand by you and support you—opening doors to education, training, and qualification, and nurturing your talents and creativity—so that you may become the cornerstone in building the envisioned state of the South: a state of justice, freedom, and sustainable development.

In conclusion, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the masses of our people who have rallied across all governorates of the South to commemorate this glorious national occasion. We reaffirm that we will never stray from our path, nor shall we betray the sacrifices of our martyrs. Victory is near, God willing; independence is inevitable—with Allah’s help and grace, and through the sterling will, firm resolve, and determination of our valiant people of the South.

Glory and victory to the homeland.

Eternal honor to our blessed martyrs.

Peace and blessings be upon you all.