Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC), called for a general popular mobilization in the south in a televised address marking the 63rd anniversary of the October 14 Revolution. The address was his first televised appearance since the unrest in eastern Yemen in early this year and late 2025, and his flight from the interim capital, Aden.
Al-Zubaidi urged residents to join mobilization centers and take part in rallies scheduled for October 14 in Aden, Hadramout, Shabwa, Al-Mahra and Socotra. He said the mobilization aims to defend the south and its political project against the Houthis and extremist groups, according to his remarks.
Al-Zubaidi reiterated his commitment to restoring an independent southern state and called on Saudi Arabia and the international community to recognize the Constitutional Declaration and Political Statement issued on January 2, 2026. The STC seeks self-determination for southern Yemen, which was an independent state before its unification with the north in 1990.
The STC’s status remains disputed. A delegation from the council in Riyadh announced its dissolution in January, but the council’s institutions and supporters rejected the announcement. Al-Zubaidi, who is based in the UAE, continues to present himself as the council’s head.
The address comes amid a renewed escalation in Yemen’s war. The Iran-backed Houthi group made gains on the Red Sea coast in September, taking control of the city of Mocha and areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key passage for international shipping.
At the same time, fighting around Taiz has intensified after the Houthis cut a main road linking the city to Aden and tightened their siege, disrupting the delivery of supplies and contributing to rising prices.
These developments are unfolding alongside divisions among anti-Houthi forces. Al-Zubaidi’s call for mobilization in the south and his renewed demand for international recognition of his political project add another dimension to the conflict, as fighting on Yemeni territory overlaps with disputes over the country’s future.
In his address, Al-Zubaidi condemned Houthi attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia and said the Southern Armed Forces are committed to maritime security and regional stability. He also called for an international stance against the Houthis. These positions reflect his efforts to rally regional and international support for the south’s demand for self-determination.
