Ataq City, Major Urban City of Shabwah, Hosts Million-Person Rally Demanding Declaration of the State of South Arabia (Statement)

The city of Ataq, the major urban city of Shabwah Governorate, has witnessed a million-person rally demanding the declaration of the State of South Arabia, as large-scale mass crowds from across the governorate participated, and the rally issued a statement, the full text of which follows:

Final Statement of the Million-Person Rally Demanding the Declaration of the State of South Arabia (Ataq, Shabwah Governorate)

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

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.

O masses of the great people of South Arabia, O steadfast sons of Shabwah Governorate, O strugglers of the South in every inch of its beloved land…

O you who have gathered today in Ataq, the city of steadfastness and heroism, to renew your covenant with the land and, with your free sterling will, write a new page of struggle, dignity, and loyalty to the pure blood of the blessed martyrs…

This million-person rally comes at a pivotal national moment, coinciding with the great victories achieved by the Southern Armed Forces in the 'Arin area of Shabwah Governorate, in the Valley and Desert of Hadhramaut, and in Al-Mahrah Governorate. It confirms that these victories are a sincere expression of the popular will of the South and a manifestation of national cohesion embodied by the million-person rallies and sit-ins from Al-Mahrah in the east to Lahj and Al-Dhale'a in the west. This represents a comprehensive national alignment behind the political leadership expressing the aspirations of our people: the STC under the leadership of President Aidarous bin Qassim Al-Zubaidi, the Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces.

As the masses of the South gather today to celebrate victory and affirm their right, they strongly condemn and denounce the military targeting of the civilian port of Al-Mukalla, as it is a sovereign facility and a lifeline for millions of citizens in Hadhramaut and the South. This act constitutes a threat to security and stability and terrorizes innocent civilians in a rejected behavior that neither serves peace nor reflects the facts on the ground.

From great Shabwah, we affirm that the voice of the masses and the will of the people will remain higher than all imposed decisions and stronger than all attempts to break the Southern will or circumvent its sacrifices. In this historic and pivotal political event, we affirm the following:

Firstly: The rally participants bless the major national victories achieved by the Southern governmental forces, which culminated in the liberation of the 'Arin area, the districts of the Valley and Desert of Hadhramaut, and Al-Mahrah Governorate, cleansing them of terrorist groups, smuggling networks, and destabilizing forces. This is a great national achievement that embodies the sacrifices of heroes and the sincere belonging to the land and identity of the South.

Secondly, the mass gathering affirms that these victories represent a long-awaited Southern political and historical entitlement and a legitimate right of the people of the South to secure their land and protect their resources. They do not constitute a threat to any internal or external party but rather a necessary step to consolidate security and stability and serve regional and international peace.

Thirdly: The masses emphasize that the enduring presence of the Southern Armed Forces and their execution of national duties—securing Shabwah Governorate, the Valley and Desert areas of Hadhramaut, and Al-Mahrah Governorate—serves as both a critical safety valve and a tangible guarantee for stability. This presence safeguards the national gains secured by the sacrifices of our blessed martyrs.

Fourthly: Based on the popular mandate and embodying the will of the gathered masses, this million-person rally renews its call to President Aidarous bin Qassim Al-Zubaidi to declare the State of South Arabia and to take the necessary decisions and measures to fortify the victories and protect the South from any attempts to break the will of its people or circumvent its sacrifices.

Fifthly: With utmost pride and honor, the masses commend the ministries, institutions, and local authorities across the various governorates of the South that have declared their unequivocal alignment with the Southern homeland and the interests of its people and have assumed a responsible stance in support of the decisions taken by the political leadership. In this context, the rally participants commend the stance of the local authority in Shabwah Governorate under the leadership of Sheikh Awad Mohammed bin Al-Wazir, its support and blessing of the national victories, and its explicit demand for the declaration of the State of South Arabia.

Sixthly: The rally participants affirm that true legitimacy today is the legitimacy of the people and the land, expressed through large-scale mass crowds and million-person rallies. This is legitimacy derived from history, identity, and sacrifices, not from individual decisions or distant capitals. The people of the South are the rightful owners of the original right to determine their future and are the most aware of what preserves their security, dignity, and supreme interests.

Seventhly: The masses affirm that the project of restoring and building a fully sovereign State of South Arabia, within its internationally recognized historical borders, has become an inclusive national choice that is non-negotiable, irreversible, and does not accept half-solutions. All alternative and temporary projects are destined to fail in the face of the steadfast will of our people of the South.

Eighthly: The rally participants call upon all citizens of Shabwah Governorate and the people of the South in general, from all social and tribal segments, to fully rally around the Southern Armed Forces as the true guarantor of defending the land and honor and protecting national gains and to be prepared for comprehensive popular mobilization to confront any threats targeting the South, its security, and stability.

Ninthly: The gathered masses condemn the unilateral decisions issued by the so-called Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, which represent a declaration of war on the South. They reject unilateralism and exclusion and support the statement issued by members of the PLC who reject these practices and adhere to the principle of partnership and consensus.

Tenthly: The masses hold Rashad Al-Alimi and those who stand behind him and provide him with political cover fully responsible for the serious military aggression carried out by Saudi aircraft against the civilian port of Al-Mukalla, which is an economic and sovereign lifeline for Hadhramaut and neighboring governorates. They hold him responsible for the resulting terrorization of civilians, damage to neighboring homes, and threat to social peace.

Eleventhly: The masses of Shabwah express their deep thanks and gratitude to the brethren in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their generous and continuous support for development, security, and stability in the South and Yemen. They affirm that their roles and ultimate sacrifices will forever remain immortal in the memory of our people, engraved in the consciousness of successive generations.

Twelfthly: The masses renew their covenant and loyalty to the blessed martyrs and the wounded and affirm that the march of liberation and independence will continue to its end. The victories achieved today are only a prelude to greater victories, leading to the declaration of the Federal State of South Arabia and the building of a future worthy of the sacrifices of this great people.

Glory and immortality to the blessed martyrs, recovery to the wounded, and victory to the people of South Arabia.

Issued by the "Declaration of the State of South Arabia" Million-Person Rally

Shabwah – Ataq, 31 December 2025