Southern Transitional Council Rejects 'Fabricated' Disbandment Reports
Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) has vehemently denied reports of its dissolution, calling Friday's announcement "fabricated and legally void" in a statement released on January 10, 2026. The secessionist group accused Saudi Arabia of detaining its negotiating delegation in Riyadh and coercing them to issue the disputed declaration under duress.
Emergency Meeting in Aden
STC leadership convened an emergency session in Aden, asserting its National Assembly, Consultative Council, and General Secretariat remain fully operational. The council emphasized its mandate derives from southern Yemeni residents since its 2017 establishment, rejecting any attempts to marginalize its role in peace negotiations.
International Community Urged to Intervene
The group called for United Nations involvement to secure members' release and protect southern Yemenis' political representation. This development follows Yemeni state media reports claiming STC offices worldwide had closed, while the Saudi-led coalition alleges STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi abandoned peace talks.
Ongoing Sovereignty Dispute
Despite joining Yemen's Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the UAE-supported STC continues advocating for southern self-determination. Analysts suggest this latest confrontation reflects persistent tensions over resource control and power-sharing arrangements in the conflict-ridden nation.
