Nasser al-Khobaji, a prominent leader in the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has announced what he termed “Zero Hour” for declaring the secession of South Yemen from the Republis of Yemen, asserting that the “restoration of the [Southern] state is nearing completion.”
Al-Khobaji’s remarks came during a mass rally in Aden, marked by a sharp escalation in rhetoric regarding the situation in eastern Yemen.
Meanwhile. STC supporters in the United Kingdom and other countries gather on Saturday calling for the independence of what they call “Southern Arabia”. A spokesperson for U.K’s STC supporters said” The southerners understand full well that the project of unity with Yemen has failed to deliver anything progressive for them. The Houthi rebels have seceded by overthrowing the recognized government and established their own state . The southerners feel it’s now time to restore their state too”
Al-Khobaji issued a veiled warning to Southern factions opposing the STC’s policies, urging them to align behind the leadership of Aidarus al-Zoubaidi. He argued that the “historic moment” does not allow for a plurality of visions—a stance critics interpret as an attempt to impose unilateral political guardianship over the Southern governorates.
This rhetoric meets significant resistance in Hadramout, Al-Mahrah, Shabwa, and Abyan, where many local leaders and tribal figures staunchly reject the deployment of STC-affiliated forces in their territories.
The speech arrives amid a deepening political stalemate. The UAE-backed STC has reportedly rejected Saudi mediation efforts that require the withdrawal of STC forces from Hadramout and Al-Mahrah in favor of the “Nation’s Shield” and local provincial forces.