This is a collection of documents about the conflict between southern separatists and the "legitimate" government that broke out in August 2019. Suggestions for additional documents to be included are welcome.
Speech by STC leader, 11 August 2019
This is a speech by Aidarus al-Zubaidi, president of the Southern Transitional Council on 11 August 2019 – a day after separatist forces took control of Aden. The translation below was circulated by the STC.
FULL TEXT: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the noble prophet and messengers, our lord Muhammad and his family and companions.
Brothers and sisters
Peace, mercy and blessings of God
First of all, we would like to congratulate you on Eid al-Adha, which came to us this year, with the blessing of securing the capital from camps that used to house terrorist elements and factories that manufacture explosives and booby-traps. Not forgetting the tasks of liberating the remainder of the south in the Hadhramaut valley, Beihan and Mukeras, which continue to suffer from terrorism.
We also congratulate the Arab and Islamic nations on this occasion, asking god to give it back to us with our nations has achieved all that we look forward to.
We take this opportunity to pay great tribute to the Arab coalition forces, led by the Saudi Arabia and the leadership of the King of firmness and determination, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
We also pay tribute to the courage, valor and steadfastness of the heroes of our southern forces on the fronts of fighting the Iranian-Houthi expansion and the fight against terrorism, and pray for mercy to the sols of the martiers who sacrificed their lives for the land of their homeland at various stages, we wish the wounded a speedy recovery.
Brothers and sisters
The unfortunate events of August were imposed on us and our role was first to react and then our role was self-defense, while the role of the other party was to implement a plan based on the assassination of our leaders and then provoke our masses and then liquidate our presence. On the 1st of August, three simultaneous terrorist operations were planned and prepared with precision in each of Sheikh Othman police, Al-Galaa camp in Aden and Al-Mehfed district in Abyan, killing 60 martyrs, among them the commander of the First Support Brigade the martyr Brigadier Munir Mahmood, Abu Yamamah, and 100 wounded and the destruction of a number of facilities of public institutions, houses and infrastructure.
On the seventh of August, during the funeral of the martyrs in the Qatee cemetery, the mourners were shot at while they were in a moment of sadness and sorrow without taking into account the sanctity of the place and the occasion, thank God that this incident was filmed to prove the truth of our claim. The purpose of this treacherous act, which left three people dead and a number of wounded, was pure provocation. This is exactly what happened as several peaceful demonstrations were launched to denounce all that was taking place and were suppressed with iron and fire, which increased the number of casualties.
On August 8, everything was revealed when heavy weapons were launched from the presidential protection brigades, including tanks and artillery, specifically from Bader camp. This resulted in heavy casualties among the 1st Infantry Brigade camp in Jabal Hadid and the destruction of the water pumping facility for the citizens in Aden.
As this image and position became clear, we had only two options: self-defense or surrender and accepting the liquidation of our just cause before the liquidation of our souls. It was our decision, which was guaranteed to us by heavenly and international laws to defend ourselves. To our surprise, international and regional organizations in Aden was the emergence of dormant cells from marginalized and African migrants. It was found that they were recruited by the Presidential Protection Brigades and were officially goven military ID numbers given salaries, arming them and taking part in the battles on their orders, indicating their pre-planning of this failed action.
I cannot fail to mention the amount of weapons and ammunition found in the presidential protection brigades that are sufficient to fight the Iranian Houthi enemy on all fronts without coalition support for at least 12 months.
Brothers and sisters
After we have shown you the truth of what happened, the international and regional organizations in Aden can be an eyewitness to the facts of what transpired, we would like to emphasize the following points:
1. Our readiness to work responsibly with the leadership of the Arab Alliance, led by Saudi Arabia, in managing this crisis and its consequences in order to enhance the cohesion of the social fabric.
2. We reiterate our firm position to stand fully with the Arab coalition to fight Iranian expansion in the region led by Saudi Arabia.
3. We renew our confidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which we hope and attach the hopes and aspirations of our people and declare our readiness to work with them and through them, as a loyal ally that is strong and had already proven on the ground what others failed to do for five years except through lies.
4. Our readiness to attend the meeting called by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with full openness with our confidence in the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (may God protect him).
5. We renew our commitment to the continuation of the ceasefire called for by the leadership of the Arab coalition and our declaration to the same last night.
In conclusion, we wish you all a blessed Eid al-Adha, peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Aidroos Qasim Al-Zubaidi
President of the Transitional Council
11 August 2019
Statement by the Hadi government, 8 August 2019
FULL TEXT: The Government of Yemen holds the Southern Transitional Council responsible for the armed escalation in the interim capital of Aden, and for its serious consequences that threaten the security and safety of citizens and security and stability in general.
In its statement, the government reiterated its rejection of the irresponsible actions of the Southern Transitional Council, which amounted to the use of heavy weapons and the attempt to storm state institutions and army camps. The government regrets that those groups refused to spare the city of Aden and its peaceful inhabitants the dangers of slipping into chaos and fighting that will topple the civil peace and services that have been achieved during the few years following the liberation of Aden from the grip of the Iranian Houthi rebel militia.
It also stressed that, by assuming their national responsibilities the government, the army and security forces are committed to preserving state institutions and safety of citizens. With the support of all wise and honorable people and the brothers in the coalition, they will work to address all attempts to harm institutions and individuals. The statement pointed out that the government is working with the leadership of the coalition to form a committee to investigate the events in the city of Aden.
The Government renewed its invitation to the leadership of the coalition represented by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to apply urgent and strong pressure on the Southern Transitional Council to stop any military movements in the city, and to oblige all security units and military formations to adhere to the instructions of the security and military establishment and not to rebel against the state and its institutions.
The government also called on political parties, all political and social actors, all wise people of Yemen to assume their national responsibility to reject, resist and condemn the calls of rebellion, war, and irresponsible adventures that, if not stopped, would lead the country into chaos and drag it into a dangerous slope.
The government said that the country has not yet overcame the consequences of the Houthi militias coup and rebellion, which led the state institutions and services systems to collapse, disrupted the public sector salary payments, led the economy to collapse and worsened the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. This requires all sensible people to be responsible, putting reason, wisdom and supreme national interest above everything else in order to spare the city of Aden and the liberated areas the consequences of any rebellion, civil strife, chaos or catastrophic repercussions on people and property, which will present a serious blow to the efforts of the coalition and its mission in Yemen, and is in the interest of no one but the Houthi coup militia and the Iranian project in the region.
Letter to UN from the Southern Transitional Council, 8 August 2019
FULL TEXT: It is with great urgency and sorrow that I write to you regarding the deadly violence that struck South Yemen on multiple fronts in the last few days. On behalf of Southerners and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) we call for a collective effort to urgently prevent further deterioration of the critical situation in the South. This requires swift and comprehensive steps to include the Southern voice in the UN-led political process and secure a solution for the Southern issue as the only means to securing peace and stability in Yemen and the region as a whole.
On 1 August, a missile attack on a military parade of the Security Belt Forces in Aden killed at least 36 people including a senior military commander in the Southern resistance Brigadier General Abu al-Yamamah. That same day, a separate car explosion claimed by ISIS killed a dozen policemen at a Police Station in the Omar Al-Mokhtar neighbourhood of Aden city, raising the death toll to 51. Furthermore, on 2 August yet another attack took place on Al-Mahfad base in Abyan which killed 19 soldiers.
A serious escalation in the violence aimed at protestors occurred on the 7 August following a large funeral procession for Brigadier General Abu al-Yamamah which was attended by thousands of Southerners following which unarmed protesters approached the Presidential Palace to demand accountability for the ongoing deterioration of security and the general situation in the South. The protestors were met with live ammunition resulting in multiple casualties.
This violence and instability are a symptom of the lack of a credible solution for the Southern issue. We have long warned of this and called for a comprehensive resolution to the Southern issue, without which we can expect cycles of violence and suffering to continue.
Amid the current developments, the STCs sole objective is to restore stability and security in the areas where we operate and where we have a responsibility to the Southern people. For months, we have been working with local forces to de-escalate military advances near Southern governorates, including in Al-Dhale' and Shabwah. Far from further escalation, our efforts now are focused on ensuring the people in the South are protected, rule of law is maintained, and humanitarian needs are met. We will continue to deliver on this responsibility until a sustainable solution for the South is secured and in place. We are aware of allegations that Northerners are being forcibly displaced or deported from Southern governorates. The STC condemns in the strongest terms any action by anyone to forcibly expel members of the Northern population and we have made clear that the STC did not and would never play a part in this. While individual incidents are out of the STC's control, our team is diligently investigating reports of incidents and those responsible will be held accountable if reports are confirmed. In parallel, our message to the Southern population has been one of tolerance to all and we firmly stand against any such actions.
The STC is doing its best to manage the situation in the South but the only way to bring about an end to this instability is a solution to the Southern issue once and for all. We can only grip the current escalation and its consequences to an extent. It is high time for the Southern issue to be tackled head on as part of the political process, and with credible Southern representation. Today is further proof that the Hadi government has lost its ability and credibility to service and represent Southern governorates and to protect its people.
To date, regrettably we have been excluded from the political process entrusted with bringing an end to the Yemeni crisis, while the Southern issue has been deprioritized in favour of other issues. We understand the challenges facing UN Envoy Martin Griffiths as well as the urgency of other issues such as Hodeidah, and we welcomed the opportunity to discuss the latest developments with him on 6 August. As we informed the UN Envoy, the STC takes its responsibility toward the South in all parts seriously and will act in the best interest of the Southern stability to counter forces attempting to weaken our governorates and harm the Southern people. This week's attacks are an important reminder of the urgency of the Southern issue and that conflict does not fit neatly into a sequence or timeline. We had unfortunately warned that hostilities would spill over from Hodeidah to other parts across Yemen.
Your Excellency, make no mistake that the current escalation in the South is a direct result of inaction to address the Southern issue. The cost of that exclusion is the instability and violence we now witness in the South. The STC is doing its part and responding to the evolving needs of all residing in the South, including northerners, but we can only do so up to a point. If the UN Security Council and international community are serious about a sustainable solution to the Yemeni conflict and the world's worst humanitarian crisis, then we must be clear that the Southern issue is an integral element of that solution and not secondary or subsequent to it. We've crossed the Rubicon after the 1 August attacks and the context on the ground demands urgent action. We, therefore, specifically urge you to:
(i) Support a comprehensive and inclusive political process. The 'status quo' in the South is untenable and must be addressed immediately and in parallel to the other key components of a political solution, including a robust nation-wide ceasefire. This necessitates credible Southern representation, including women leaders at any next round of UN consultations. We welcome efforts at South-South dialogue and the STC has led its own consultations with Other Southern groups, but more is needed to set how the dialogue process feeds into the negotiating table.
(ii) Advance a sustainable political solution for South Yemen, including a process for self- determination. Frustration among Southerners is understandably growing the longer their legitimate aspirations for democracy and self-determination are denied. The STC is delivering on its responsibility to the Southern people but we are facing increasing pressure from the ground without any movement on the Southern issue. The rising insecurity as a result of the coordinated onslaught by the enemies of the South has only cemented the legitimate calls of self-determination. Vague promises to address this matter 'further down the line of the transition process' is no longer acceptable by our constituency across the South. The best chance of addressing the matter in a credible manner is to explicitly prioritize the Southern issue, including in the Security Council's public messaging and engagements with the UN Envoy, particularly given the unique context of South Yemen and its significance to regional stability.
(iii) Deliver on your commitments to the UN humanitarian response plan. We reiterate Under- Secretary-General Mark Lowcock's calls to ensure the UN plan is fully funded to accommodate evolving needs. Military escalations bear concrete implications for the humanitarian situation, especially for the growing internally displaced population. The STC is committed to protecting all populations in the South and greater earmarked funding for Southern governorates will ensure more resilient UN aid operations there.
Your Excellency, despite the bleak moment we still believe in a political solution and are committed to engaging with the UN Envoy's efforts toward that goal. Several months since the December 2018 round of UN consultations, we should now look to revive the political process with the Southern issue at the heart of the agenda. The current developments in the South prove the situation there is neither sustainable nor desirable. As a representative of the Southern people, the STC stands ready to continue its efforts to maintain stability in the South and secure a sustainable solution that serves the interests of Southerners and the future of the region.
I have copied this letter to UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Mr Martin Griffiths, and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr Mark Lowcock.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Mohammed Al-Ghithi
Foreign Affairs Department
Transitional Council
Aden
Letter to UN from STC, 19 August 2019
H.E. Ms. Joanna Wronecka
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations
President of the UN Security Council
19 August 2019
Your Excellency,
Since my last letter concerning the latest developments in Aden, the Southern Transitional Council has worked to de-escalate the situation in the city and we have successfully restored security for the local population. But the threat of violence and instability, including from ongoing extremist forces, remains real. The STC's focus is now moving into the next phase of managing this context on the ground, which requires coordination with UN-led diplomatic activities, if we are to secure a political solution for South Yemen.
We should be clear that our actions to ensure security and the protection of the Southern people was necessitated by the violence at the hands of Yemeni government guards against civilians, in addition to a number of attacks by Houthi and extremist forces on Aden. Our loyalty to the Southern people and answering their calls – as demonstrated by the 'million people march' in Aden on 15 August – is what guides the STC Our actions in recent weeks have been to fill the vacuum left by a government deemed illegitimate by Southerners. As long as this is the case, then the STC cannot risk the security of the Southern people and governance of the South's capital by handing control of Aden over to the government.
The STC is in full governance of Aden and we are working diligently to ensure the functioning of basic services for our people – most of which had been deliberately neglected by the government as a form of collective punishment against Southerners for several decades – and that there is freedom of movement across the city. We stand ready to cooperate with the UN and its partners on the ground to facilitate continuous humanitarian and relief efforts to and through the port city of Aden, as well as medical care for all those injured and affected by the violence.
Your Excellency, the above actions centre on handling the urgent immediate needs on the ground. But to address the root causes of the crisis comprehensively requires a re-doubling of efforts on the political track. In this regard, we welcome Saudi Arabia's initiative to hold talks between the STC and Hadi government. For too long the Southern voice has been excluded from any negotiation table, and therefore we are grateful to Saudi Arabia for taking steps to address this diplomatic deficit. We view these talks as the start of an effort that will finally create a framework under UN auspices which includes the Southern issue and credible representation from the South.
Any alternative approach to the above would not only fail, but it would not be tolerated by our constituency on the ground, including local military forces. The reality is they like us are exhausted of the obstacles put in front of Southern inclusion in the political process. We were told previously that the South lacked an organised political entity to represent it. This led to the creation of the STC as the main body from the Southern Movement, which underpins all our efforts. We were told that we needed a clear plan for our role in the political process, and as such the STC embarked on a diplomatic strategy to explain our vision to the international community. And more recently we were told all the various Southern groups needed to coordinate and speak with one voice. This has happened organically among Southern groups, and events in Aden have led to all other Southern political groups announcing their support and backing for the STC. The STC is likewise looking ahead to the South's future; our political declaration of 15 August sets out the key principles and components of the governance of the South, and for ensuring the security and protection of all civilians.
Your Excellency, we have taken all the actions requested of us to ensure Southern inclusion in a political process to determine our own future, And yet we have been told the timing is not just yet right for our inclusion. Let's be clear: that position is no longer viable. The onus is now on the international community, and in particular the UN Security Council, to accept the new realities on the ground. Ahead of your meeting on 20 August and any future rounds of UN consultations, we urge you to:
(i) Reinvigorate the political process with movement on the South issue. The political process has so far delivered limited progress on many of the key issues of the Yemeni political solution. The developments in the South offer an opportunity to inject energy into UN Envoy Martin Griffiths' efforts, on which the international community must capitalize, We are engaging constructively with the Envoy but the process needs stronger international leadership and leverage over the parties – not only to address the South and include Southerners at the table, but to unlock movement on the other important components of the UN framework for negotiations.
(ii) Deliver urgent funding to UN humanitarian operations in South. Aden is of vital importance to humanitarian access in the South and across Yemen. We encourage you to commit increased earmarked support for the efforts of UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen Lise Grande and Under- Secretary-General Mark Lowcock to ensure sustained access and delivery of basic services to meet the urgent needs on the ground and pave the way for stabilization support for the South down the line.
(iii) Ensure Southern civil society and women leaders can shape the political process. The STC is committed to ensuring women play an active role in its ranks – at the leadership level, national assembly, and in committees supporting our work on the ground. We also regularly engage with Southern civil society and youth to guide our priorities. They are significant voices in Southern society, and any truly broad and comprehensive process must include them. We welcome Mr Martin Griffiths' efforts to consult with members of civil society and efforts by the UN to convene Yemeni women. We call on you to secure a process for more of these representatives to feed their thinking into the political process, and to enable them to do so on a sustained basis but with a proper and fair representation of South Yemen women in such initiatives and we're ready to assist with candidates.
Your Excellency, we are at a critical juncture for the South and for the Yemeni political process. The manner in which we handle this moment will have ramifications for the prospect of sustainable peace in the South and the region. We continue to be guided by our responsibility and commitment to the Southern people. And we still firmly believe in a negotiated political solution toward a peaceful future for the South and region, with the international community as partners.
I have copied this letter to UN Secretary General Mr Antönio Guterres, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Mr Martin Griffiths, and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr Mark Lowcock.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Mohammed Al-Ghaithi
Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs Department
Southern Transitional Council
Al-Tawahi, Aden
Briefing to the Security Council by UN special envoy on Yemen, 20 August 2019
In a briefing to the UN Security Council on 20 August 2019, Martin Griffiths, the UN's special special envoy on Yemen commented on developments in the south. Below is the relevant part. The full briefing can be found here.
I turn now, Madam President, to events in Aden and Abyan. These events show us the complexity and volatility of the challenge that we face in achieving peace and the dangers should we not succeed. We cannot underestimate, we certainly cannot underestimate the risks that these events pose for the future of the country of Yemen.
On the 7th of August, following attacks in Aden a few days before, clashes broke out between Presidential Protection Brigades and forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council. Subsequently, the Southern Transitional Council took control of military camps and surrounded key state institutions in Aden by force. Last night, forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council also took further steps to increase their military control in the neighboring governorate of Abyan.
This violence has led to the deaths of dozens of civilians and injury to hundreds more. And I am alarmed by this violence, as I’m sure will be the members of this Council, and I condemn the unacceptable efforts by the Southern Transitional Council to take control of state institutions by force. I also deplore the harassment of Yemenis of northern origin in Aden which preceded these recent events, such as through physical violence, forced displacement and denial of freedom of movement, including the targeting of government officials and their supporters.
Simply stated, a continuation of this current situation is simply untenable. Functioning of state institutions will almost certainly break down further and daily life for the people will become even more difficult that it is already the case. There is indeed a grave and present risk of further damage to Yemen’s social fabric and the spread of violence to other southern governorates. And at this time, Madam President, it is frankly difficult to know where events will lead us.
I am grateful to all those member states, including members of this Council, who have called for restraint and dialogue. In particular, I welcome the efforts of the Coalition to restore calm and the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular to convene a dialogue in Jeddah to discuss the situation and resolve its difficulties. I believe it is essential that that meeting takes place in the very near future to prevent a further deterioration of the security and safety of Yemenis, of Yemen’s citizens in the south, and to ensure the continuity of governance, security and basic service provision in Aden and other relevant areas under the exclusive authority of the state.
Madam President,
In this context and with these events in mind, we must also be alive to the danger of a resurgent of the activities of violence extremist groups. This Council will recall that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, AQAP, has taken control of the capitals of Abyan and Hadramout for significant periods of time in recent years. During the past month alone, we have seen attacks by Al-Qaeda and by the so-called Islamic State in Aden, Abyan and Al-Bayda governorates. And further fragmentation of the security in Aden and other areas made certainly, almost certainly will allow those activities to expand and gather momentum once again as we have seen before, with a terrible impact on the civilian population and prospects for future stability in this key strategic location.
Madam President,
The situation on the ground is changing with great speed. We need to seize any opportunities for progress. And the United Nations remains committed to inclusive dialogue to resolve differences and to address indeed the legitimate concerns of all Yemenis, including southern groups, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.
As recent events remind us, long-term questions about Yemen’s future remain unresolved. I believe these can only resolved through peaceful political means. This is why I have always talked with numerous groups from the southern governorates as well as elsewhere in Yemen, and have long advocated for their inclusion in the peace process. There is a range of views to be taken into account in any dialogue on the future of Yemen, and we need all of its citizens to assist us in making sure that future is stable and secure. This is of vital importance for the efforts to end the conflict and to ensure the resumption under the political transition that is been interrupted by these recent years.
Now, I hope that all Yemeni stakeholders, from all parts of the country, take events in Aden as a clear sign that the current conflict must be brought to an end – swiftly and peacefully, and in a manner, which addresses the needs of Yemenis across the country. The implementation of the Stockholm agreement is politically significant and has had tangible benefit on the ground. But surely that cannot be a precondition for achieving peace in all of Yemen. Every additional day of this conflict adds to the total of the tragedy and the misery, and no country, no country can tolerate these stresses, and the stresses of internal conflict indefinitely.
And finally, Madam President, Yemen cannot wait.
Thank you very much.
Statement by Yemen's Supreme Parliamentary Council, 21 August 2019
The Leadership of Yemen's Supreme Parliamentary Council in its meeting this afternoon, August 21, 2019, notes with deep concern the developments in Aden and Abyan governorates and the targeting of state institutions to impose a new political reality and societal division by targeting citizens on a regional and political basis. This aggression against state institutions and their headquarters, is a grave violation of law and order, a disturbance to the public peace, tramples on the people 's rights and freedoms and has resulted in the trespassing, looting, killing and displacement of the population carried out by militias of the so-called UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council in order to take control and create a fait accompli on the ground. Our country has already experienced a bloody conflict and divisions to its social fabric hanned by the Houthis and their coup against the legitimate authority of President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi. The Arab coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is doing its part to bring down the coup, restore the state, eliminate the Iranian agenda and that has dragged others into useless conflicts and battles.
The Leadership of Yemen's Supreme Parliamentary Council, standing before all and current developments, stresses the following:
l. The Supreme Parliamentary Council affirms its stance with the constitutional legitimacy under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi.
2. The Supreme Parliamentary Council calls for a comprehensive national reconciliation to be conducted that will rebuild state institutions and stop the human tragedy that has befallen our country and people since the coup of Houthi militias. 3. The Supreme Parliamentary Council calls upon President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi to use his constitutional authority to review relations with the Arab Coalition for the Restoration of the State and warns against deviation from its objectives to restore the state and not to be involved with other agendas identified.
4. The Supreme Parliamentary Council categorically condemns the control of the State institutions by armed groups of the Southern Transitional Council and instructs the Government to counter the armed rebellion by all means authorized by the Constitution and the law to achieve an end to the rebellion and to normalize the situation in the interim capital Aden.
5. Acknowledging the implementation of the statement of the Arab Coalition issued on August 10, the Supreme Parliamentary Council highly appreciates the position of Saudi Arabia regarding the situation in Yemen, recent developments in particular and the repercussions in order to preserving the Republic, its unity, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also reiterate our appreciation to our brothers in their prominent role in the face of the Houthi coup from the beginning; and now with the emergence of the new rebellion from the provisional capital of Aden. Firmly and resolutely has been the support for the legitimate authority and the rejection of the rebellion which gravely affects national security as well as local and regional peace. The danger of such groups breeds more violence and extremism and the aggravation of the humanitarian suffering of citizens, which are in violation of international law, Security Council resolutions and the objectives of the Arab Coalition to support legitimacy.
6. The Supreme Parliamentary Council affirms the necessity of the Government to fulfill its duties towards with recent events, to put an end to the collapse of state institutions, to protect them and to ensure the continuation of public services to citizens.
7. The Supreme Parliamentary Council calls for a thorough review of all and any imbalances that have arisen and for a unified national plan to face the coup and restore the state and to preserve the country's unity and national territory; and calls for a review of the relationship in the alliance of the Arab Coalition and warns against the deviation of its objectives from the battle to restore the state and aversion of agendas that could lead to the disruption of the country's unity, thus further complicating the possibility of reaching solutions to Yemen's concerns — and that could drag the entire region into a dangerous conflagration whose consequences will be disastrous and at a terrifying cost to the region.
Statement by Shabwa Elite forces, 24 August 2019
قيادة قوات النخبة الشبوانية تصدر بيان هام بخصوص أحداث عاصمة المحافظة عتق
إعلام النخبة الشبوانية
السبت 24/ اغسطس /2019م
بيان صادر عن قيادة النخبة الشبوانية
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمدلله القائل : (( فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ )) من مبدأ الدفاع عن الوطن الجنوبي الغالي و من منطلق حفظ كرامة هذا الشعب و سيادته على ارضه بعيدا عن التبعية لعصابات صنعاء و مارب و حفضا لأمن و استقرار المحافظة فقد تركت قيادة النخبة الشبوانية الفرصة للتفاوض على تسليم المحافظة لممثليها المفوضين شعبيا حقنا للدماء و أملا في عودة المغرر بهم إلى رشدهم و يقينا منها أن شبوة لن تقصي أحدا من أبنائها
فوت المغرر بهم الفرصة تلو الفرصة تلبية لإملاءات أسيادهم من عصابات تنظيم الإخوان الارهابية في مأرب بل و استغلوا تلك الفرص الممنوحة لاستقدام تعزيزات من جيش الأحمر في مأرب و كذلك عصابات من الإرهابيين و بعض شذاذ الآفاق مسلحين بأسلحة ثقيلة طمعا منهم في أعادة سيناريو العام 1994 م
اليوم وبعد أن اوقفت عصابات تنظيم الإخوان جبهاتها في مأرب باتجاه صنعاء و اعلنت الحرب على الجنوب فاننا نؤكد لكم أن قوات النخبة الشبوانية على أتم الاستعداد للمواجهة و لن يمرر المشروع الاخواني في شبوة و أن قواتنا مازالت تمتلك زمام المبادرة كما ندعو كل ابناء المحافظة و الجنوب إلى الإلتفاف حول قوات النخبة و الاصطفاف صفا واحدا لدعم المشروع الجنوبي الطامح في الاستقلال و استعادة الدولة و الوقوف ضد العصابات و شذاذ الآفاق و قاطعي الطرق القادمين لاحتلال المحافظة
إننا اذ ندعوا المقاومة الجنوبية في كل بقاع الجنوب إلى تعزيز موقف القوات المسلحة الجنوبية في محافظة شبوة فاننا نؤكد أن مشروع أخونة محافظة شبوة و إعادتها الى عهد الذلة و المهانة سيفشل و لن يمر إلا اذا فنينا جميعا فالارض أرضنا و الحق لنا و إنا لمنتصرون
صادر عن قيادة النخبة الشبوانية
Statement by Joint Chiefs of Staff, 25 August 2019
Republic of Yemen (Hadi government)
Statement by Joint Chiefs of Staff of Ministry of Defense
August 25, 2019
With God' s God, our heroic military brigades, with the support of the security forces, on Wednesday August 21, 2019, confronted an armed attack against the Yemeni state's civil, military and security institutions in the city of Ataq in Shabwa governorate, to counter the continuation of the armed rebellion initiated by militias affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which had begun in the interim capital Aden, and continued to Abyan province and beyond.
Yet, the local authority in Shabwa province did exert all possible efforts to avert any confrontations in respectful response to calls for calm led by Saudi Arabia. However, these groups continued to plan and escalate with their military deployment, and our armed forces, in accordance with on its constitutionally bound duties, engaged in combat against the rebellion over the past two days and was able with the help of God, to recover full control of the city of Ataq and to purge all state institutions and camps of those groups that had mobilized and maneuvered from more than Province attempting to gain control in more than one city.
Our surveillance & monitoring was able to detect the movement of the throngs of rebel combatants, pinpoint their location, and identify their medium & heavy weaponry, equipment, large and armored vehicles — all which clearly show that the United Arab Emirates has provided military, logistical and financial support for these outlawed groups whose involvement is outside the legal sanction of the Ministries of Defense and Interior which continues in spite of the calls by the Yemeni Government as expressed in the statements of the Foreign Ministry and latest remarks affirmed at the meeting of the UN Security Council — which clearly and explicitly called for its cessation because it poses a threat to Yemen's security, unity and stability.
We, the Members of the Armed Forces affirm, and in accordance with our national obligations and responsibilities, that we will stand firmly and resolutely against this rebellion, which is not based on any national basis and does not serve the higher interest of Yemen or the Arab coalition, which came to restore legitimacy in Yemen and to preserve Yemen's unity and territorial integrity.
We in the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff also stress that the Yemeni army is carrying out its duty to protect the cities and institutions, and that it will remain the defender of the homeland against the ambitions of any internal or external parties. We shall continue to be faithful and loyal soldiers to our national goals under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi, and may God protect him.
The Ministry of Defense calls on all fighters of these rebel groups who have been led astray to stop attacking their brothers in the army and security institutions and to halt the bloodshed on their fellow citizens.
The Ministry of Defense and all its configurations assert that the [STC] armed rebellion will not deviate from our main aim in the fight against the Iranian agenda and the Houthi militias; and that we, with the support of our brothers in the Arab coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in one front, can be brought together with the bond of our common blood, history, faith and destiny of unity.
Joint statement by Saudi Arabia and UAE, 25 August 2019
The Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have followed with great concern the political and military developments of ensuing events in Yemen's interim capital (Aden) on 6 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1440 AH and the subsequent events in the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa. This came at a time when the Yemeni government and warring parties welcomed an immediate ceasefire and handed over the civilian facilities in Aden to the Legitimate Government under the supervision of the Coalition Forces and welcomed the Kingdom's call for dialogue in Jeddah.
In response, the governments of both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in line with their responsibilities as members of the Coalition supporting the Legitimate Government to save Yemen and its people from the Iranian-backed Houthi militia coup reaffirm the continuation of all their political, military, relief, and development efforts with the participation of coalition countries that rose to support the Yemeni people.
The governments of both countries express their rejection and condemnation of the accusations and defamation campaigns targeting the UAE due to those events; reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by the Coalition Forces in Yemen, motivated by sincere fraternal and neighborly ties, the preservation of security in the region, and the prosperity of its people and their common destiny. Nonetheless, they affirm their keenness and full endeavor to preserve the Yemeni nation and the interests, security, stability, independence and territorial integrity of the Yemeni people under the leadership of the legitimate president of Yemen, as well as to counter the coup of the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia and other terrorist organizations.
The governments of the two countries also stress the need for full commitment to cooperate with the joint committee set up by the Coalition leadership in order to disengage and redeploy forces within the framework of the military effort of the Coalition Forces, and urge to engage in a speedy dialogue in Jeddah, which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has called for to address the causes and repercussions of events taking place in some southern provinces.
Original Arabic text follows ...
جدة 24 ذو الحجة 1440 هـ الموافق 25 أغسطس 2019 م واس صدر عن وزارة الخارجية في المملكة العربية السعودية ووزارة الخارجية والتعاون الدولي بالإمارات العربية المتحدة بياناً مشتركاً فيما يلي نصه:
تابعت حكومتا المملكة العربية السعودية ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة بقلق بالغ مجريات ومستجدات التطورات السياسية والعسكرية عقب الأحداث التي وقعت في عاصمة الجمهورية اليمنية المؤقتة (عدن) بتاريخ 6 ذو الحجة 1440هـ وما تلا ذلك من أحداث امتدت إلى محافظتي (أبين، وشبوة)، في وقت رحبت فيه الحكومة اليمنية والأطراف التي نشب بينها النزاع بالوقف الفوري لإطلاق النار وقيامها بتسليم المقرات المدنية في (عدن) للحكومة الشرعية تحت إشراف قوات التحالف والترحيب بدعوة المملكة للحوار في (جدة). وإزاء ذلك فإن حكومتي المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة وانطلاقاً من مسؤوليتهما في تحالف دعم الشرعية في اليمن لإنقاذ اليمن وشعبه من انقلاب الميليشيا الحوثية المدعومة من إيران، تؤكدان على استمرار كافة جهودهما السياسية والعسكرية والإغاثية والتنموية بمشاركة دول التحالف التي نهضت لنصرة الشعب اليمني.
وتعرب حكومتا البلدين عن رفضهما واستنكارهما للاتهامات وحملات التشويه التي تستهدف دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة على خلفية تلك الأحداث، مذكرين الجميع بالتضحيات التي قدمتها قوات التحالف على أرض اليمن بدافعٍ من الروابط الأخوية الصادقة وصلة الجوار والحفاظ على أمن المنطقة ورخاء شعوبها ومصيرهم المشترك، وتؤكدان في الوقت نفسه حرصهما وسعيهما الكامل للمحافظة على الدولة اليمنية ومصالح الشعب اليمني وأمنه واستقراره واستقلاله ووحدة وسلامة أراضيه تحت قيادة الرئيس الشرعي لليمن ، وللتصدي لانقلاب ميليشيا الحوثي الإرهابية المدعومة من إيران والتنظيمات الإرهابية الأخرى.
وتؤكد حكومتا البلدين على ضرورة الالتزام التام بالتعاون مع اللجنة المشتركة التي شكلتها قيادة تحالف دعم الشرعية لفض الاشتباك، وإعادة انتشار القوات في إطار المجهود العسكري لقوات التحالف، كما تطالب بسرعة الانخراط في حوار (جدة) الذي دعت له المملكة العربية السعودية لمعالجة أسباب وتداعيات الأحداث التي شهدتها بعض المحافظات الجنوبية.
// انتهى //
03:51 ت م
Speech by STC leader Zubaidi, 27 August 2019
Source: Aden24 website
نص خطاب الرئيس عيدروس الزبيدي
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله القائل (الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ) والصلاة والسلام على أشرف المرسلين، وعلى آله وصحبه ومن والاه إلى يوم الدين.
ايها الشعب الجنوبي العظيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
نطل عليكم اليوم في هذه اللحظة الدقيقة من تاريخ شعب الجنوب، لنؤكد لكم ثباتنا على عهد الرجال للرجال، الذي قطعناه على أنفسنا أمام شعبنا، بقيادة سفينة الوطن والإبحار معاً حتى الوصول إلى شاطئ الأمان الذي اختاره شعبنا وناضل لأجله طويلاً، والمتمثل باستعادة استقلال الجنوب وبناء دولته الفيدرالية المستقلة كاملة السيادة على حدود ما قبل 21 مايو 1990م، ولن نحيد عن ذلك الدرب قيد أنملة بعون الله وتوفيقه، وبثباتكم وإرادتكم وإصراركم وقدرتكم بالتغلب على التحديات واجتياز المنعطفات بثقة المؤمنين الواثقين بنصر الله.
لقد تابعنا جميعاً الاحداث التي تلت عملية اغتيال الشهيد البطل منير اليافعي “ابو اليمامة” والتي كانت بداية لمخطط اسقاط العاصمة عدن بيد الجماعات الارهابية المسنودة بقوات شمالية تعمل جميعها تحت مظلة الحكومة اليمنية بإدارة مباشرة من الجناح العسكري لجماعة الإخوان المسلمين، الا ان الإرادة الوطنية للقوات المسلحة الجنوبية كانت اقوى من مؤامراتهم، حيث انتصرنا وتخلصنا من هذه الجماعات التي كادت ان تدمر الانجازات الوطنية الجنوبية، وما تلى ذلك من تأييد شعبي عظيم في السادس عشر من اغسطس 2019م، وبعد ان تأكدنا ان العاصمة عدن بخير وأمان، التزمنا مباشرة بالتهدئة التي دعت لها قيادة التحالف العربي واوقفنا اطلاق النار، ثم استجبنا لدعوة الأشقاء في المملكة العربية السعودية وذهبنا الى مدينة جدة للتباحث حول الوضع في الجنوب.
لقد كانت دعوة المملكة العربية السعودية الشقيقة لقيادة المجلس الانتقالي للحوار في مدينة جده خطوة هامة حظيت باهتمامنا الكبير وتعاطينا معها تعاطياً ايجابياً ومسؤؤلاً حيث تبادلنا وجهات النظر مع صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير خالد بن سلمان بن عبدالعزيز، نائب وزير الدفاع، وكذلك الفريق الركن، الأمير فهد بن تركي بن عبدالعزيز قائد القوات المشتركة، وكانت اللقاءات مثمرة وايجابية، نحو استقرار وامن المنطقة وتعزيز دور التحالف العربي ضد التمدد الايراني، الا ان ذلك لم يرق للحكومة اليمنية التي تقودها جماعة الإخوان المسلمين، والمتنفذون العسكريون وتجار الحروب، حيث قامت قواتهم العسكرية المتمركزة في مأرب مدعومة بعناصر تنظيم داعش الإرهابي والقاعدة بغزو محافظة شبوه بقوات عسكرية وجيش جرار يحمل مختلف الاسلحة الثقيلة، في تكرار كامل الأركان للغزو الذي تعرض له الجنوب في 1994م و 2015م، وعلى اثر ذلك، تفجر الموقف، بينما التزمنا بوقف اطلاق النار والتهدئة في بيان رسمي اصدرناه في يوم الجمعة الثالث والعشرين من اغسطس 2019م، استجابة لدعوة خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك سلمان بن عبدالعزيز، الا ان قرار التهدئة ووقف اطلاق النار تم استغلاله من قبل قوات الارهاب بهدف التقدم وتدمير قوات النخبة الشبوانية التي تكافح الإرهاب في عملية انتقام واضحة لصالح تنظيم القاعدة في جزيرة العرب وإعادته الى المحافظة، وخدمة لمشاريع إقليمية مشتركة بين داعمي الميليشيات الحوثية وجماعة الإخوان المسلمين، في عملية اختراق واضحة تستهدف المشروع العربي الذي تقوده دول التحالف.
ياجماهير شعبنا الجنوبي العظيم
اننا لن نحمل المسؤولية غيرنا ولن نتهم جهات داخلية او خارجية بانها خذلتنا كما تفعل ذلك ماتسمى بالحكومة اليمنية وقياداتها التي تلجأ عادةً الى التباكي وكيل الاتهامات والشتم والتجريح والاسائه حتى لدول التحالف، بل اننا نتحمل المسؤولية الكاملة بكل شجاعة لما حصل لقواتنا في شبوه، واننا نؤكد قدرتنا الكاملة على تجاوز ما حصل ونقولها بثقة عالية نستمدها من الله ومن ارادتكم ومن قناعاتنا الوطنية باننا سنعيد النخبة الشبوانية اكثر قدرة وقوة على التصدي للجحافل الإرهابية التي تركت الحوثي يسرح ويمرح بمناطقها ووجهت قواتها نحو شبوه والجنوب، في دلالة واضحة على عدم وجود اي جدية تجاه التخلص من جماعة الحوثي في الشمال، وقد فسرت العملية التي حدثت في شبوه حاجة قيادة التحالف العربي الى مراجعة الوضع في الشمال طيلة السنوات الاربع الماضية بشكل دقيق ومفصل.
يا مغاوير قواتنا الجنوبية المسلحة
اننا نقدر عالياً حماسكم واستبسالكم، واستعدادكم لخوض معركة الوطن، ونؤكد لكم ان استمرار استهدافكم من قبل اعداء الله والوطن هو ثمن وقوفكم مدافعين عن قضيتكم وعن شعبكم، وهو ثمن امتلاككم للكرامة والأنفة والوطنية التي فقدها الآخرون، ان ثباتكم على الحق ما هو الا دليلاً على صدقكم ووفائكم، واننا جميعا فخورون بكم وبدوركم البطولي في التصدي لقوى الشر والارهاب، وسنكون معكم والى جانبكم حتى تحقيق الأهداف الوطنية المنشودة في الجنوب.
ان قوات النخبة الشبوانية هي جزء لا يتجزأ من مؤسسات القوات المسلحة والأمن الجنوبي، ونتحمل مسؤولية إعادة بنائها، وإعادة اعتبارها، وهذا وعد امام الله وامامكم، سنكون معها لتعود أقوى مما كانت، وستكون قياداتها المخلصة وعناصرها الوطنية رائدة لهذا المشروع الوطني في محافظة شبوة المتمثل في اعادة فرض الأمن ومكافحة الإرهاب والتطرف، اننا نحيي صمودهم الاسطوري، وتضحياتهم واستبسالهم، نحيي وطنيتهم، وسيكون النصر حليفنا جميعاً في شبوة.
الاخوات والاخوة
كما كشف هذا العدوان السافر على أرض الجنوب، بأن ذلك الجيش القابع في معسكرات مأرب ووادي حضرموت والمهرة وأجزاء من شبوه، بما يمتلكه من عتاد وأسلحة وتجهيزات وقوة بشرية هائلة، لا يبالي بمسألة تحرير صنعاء والمناطق الواقعة تحت سيطرة الحوثي، ولا يهمه أهلها بقدر اهتمامه بفرض سيطرته على منابع ثروات الجنوب وآباره النفطية، التي استحوذت عليها وتقاسمتها قوى الغزو الفاشي إبان الاجتياح العسكري الغادر لأرض الجنوب في صيف عام 1994م، غير عابئةٍ بقرارات الشرعية الدولية المتمثلة بقراري مجلس الأمن الدولي(924- 931 لعام 1994م) ولا البيان الصادر عن اللقاء الوزاري لدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي، والتي أكدت على عدم فرض الوحدة بالقوة، ودعت إلى حوارٍ عاجل بين الطرفين لحل النزاع، ها هو اليوم العدو ذاته يبعث ميليشياته الحزبية الحاقدة مشحونة بنفس عدواني، ومدفوعة بفتوى دينية تبيح لها قتل أبناء الجنوب بحجج واهية.
لقد كشفت أحداث الأسابيع المنصرمة في عدن وأبين واخيراً في شبوة حجم التواطؤ والتنسيق والتماهي فيما بين الحوثي والإخوان المسلمين، وباقي التنظيمات الإرهابية، وهو ما وضعنا وسائر الشعب الجنوبي الثائر، أمام خيار التصدي لمخططات الأعداء، لان اي خيار آخر سوف تكون نتيجته الإضرار الكامل بقضيتنا وشعبنا ومنجزاتنا الوطنية المكتسبة.
وبرغم قدراتنا وإمكانياتنا على صد العدوان الغاشم، إلا أننا بقينا عند تعهدنا الذي قطعناه أمام التحالف، رغم مآخذنا وعتبنا على طريقة تعاملهم مع الأحداث، الذي جسد انحيازاً واضحاً للطرف الآخر رغم تعديه وعدوانه، واستخدامه لعناصر إرهابية، وانتهاجه سياسة الأرض المحروقة، وهذا لا يلغي ابداً حقنا في الدفاع عن محافظة شبوة الباسلة حتى تأمينها بشكل كامل.
وعليه، فإننا ومن موقع المسؤولية الملقاة على عاتقنا :
– نؤكد على موقفنا الثابت والمبدئي إلى جانب التحالف العربي، واستمرارنا في محاربة التمدد الإيراني ومكافحة الإرهاب في المنطقة، كما نجدد رفضنا القاطع لأي تواجد عسكري شمالي على أرض الجنوب.
– ندعو كافة الفاعلين الاقليميين والدوليين لدعم قدرات أجهزة الأمن ومكافحة الإرهاب في الجنوب، واتخاذ موقف حازم وحاسم، من القوى الساعية لتدمير مؤسساتنا العسكرية والأمنية التي أثبتت جديتها في مكافحة الإرهاب، ونؤكد اننا لن نقف مكتوفي الأيدي.
– نؤكد على ان تأمين شبوه ووادي حضرموت والمهرة وأرخبيل سقطرى ومكيراس أولوية ملحة للجنوب وللأمن والسلم الإقليمي والدولي، ولا تقل أهمية عن تأمين العاصمة عدن، وندعو التحالف العربي والدول التي تشارك بمكافحة الإرهاب الى الزام القوات الشمالية الجاثمة في هذه المناطق الجنوبية على التوجه الى جبهات القتال لمواجهة الميليشيات الحوثية.
– على جميع الأجهزة الأمنية والوحدات العسكرية الجنوبية، التزام أقصى درجات الاستعداد والتنبه واليقظة الدائمة ورفع الجاهزية، وتحمل مسؤولياتها الوطنية في هذا الظرف الدقيق، لحفظ أمن واستقرار الجنوب، والتعامل الحازم مع أي مجموعات إرهابية او اختلالات أمنية.
– نُهيب بكافة المواطنين إلى اليقظة والحذر، وعدم الانسياق وراء الشائعات المغرضة التي تروجها مطابخ الأعداء لإرباكهم وتدمير معنوياتهم، وندعوهم لمساندة الأجهزة الأمنية، والتنبه لأي خلايا إرهابية والإبلاغ عنها، والاصطفاف الوطني الجامع لحماية الجنوب والحفاظ على الممتلكات العامة والخاصة، وكشف الإشاعات والدعايات المغرضة.
– نشكر القطاعات العسكرية الجنوبية التي تحارب ميليشيات الحوثي خارج الجنوب على مواقفهم التي جاءت في بياناتهم الرسمية يوم أمس، وعليه ندعوهم لرفع الجاهزية والاستعداد للدفاع عن الجنوب وشعبه وقضيته.
وختاماً، نبعث تعازينا ومواساتنا إلى أسر الشهداء، سائلين الله أن يتغمدهم بواسع رحمته وغفرانه. والشفاء للجرحى، ونعاهد الله والشعب ان دماءهم الطاهرة لن تذهب هدرا
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Statement by STC, 28 August 2019
COLLECTIVE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT BEHIND UN POLITICAL PROCESS CRUCIAL TO SOUTHERN ISSUE
[ADEN - 28 August 2019] Events in recent weeks have brought international attention to the situation in the South. While the Southern Transitional Council has established security and local governance arrangements in Aden, there has been escalation in other governorates, notably in Shabwah and Abyan. In parallel there has been an intensification of ISIS and AQ attacks in recent weeks against the Southern people.
Our focus since the brutal attacks against the South from 1 August has been to protect civilians and restore stability. It was this intent that led to the STC's acceptance to take part in a dialogue process in Jeddah with the Hadi government under the guidance of Saudi Arabia. The STC went into those talks without any preconditions, viable policy options to generate confidence building measures, and an overall constructive negotiating approach. In stark contrast the Hadi government refused to engage in the process in Jeddah, and instead on the ground, escalated the situation in Shabwah governorate. This escalation has included credible reports of the role of extremist fighters from both ISIS and AQAP being active on the ground. Against this backdrop the STC welcomes the ceasefire initiative by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As we have informed our Coalition partners, the STC remains fully focused on de-escalation.
The ceasefire arrangement offers a small window of opportunity to bring back all efforts towards a political solution. In this regard, the STC renews its commitment to a UN-led political track and we call on our international partners to redouble their efforts in support of a comprehensive credible political process to address the Southern issue and, by extension, the Yemeni crisis. The STC has been consistent in its constructive engagement with UN Envoy Martin Griffiths in order to secure a genuine political solution that stands the best chance of success.
For the STC, the importance of the South to the wider diplomatic effort to end the Yemeni crisis has never been in question: The South is part of the UN Envoy's framework for negotiations. The question has been one of timeline and process. This month's developments stress that it is high time for a comprehensive political solution that tackles the South issue alongside the other key components of Yemen's political solution.
We know that this requires a negotiation process under UN auspices -- with strong support and leadership from the international community -- that integrates the South issue and Southern representatives. We welcome Mr Griffiths' commitment to inclusive dialogue, addressing the legitimate concerns of Southern groups, and of the inclusion of Southern representatives in the peace process in his briefing to the UN Security Council on 20 August. The Southern people have made clear that their grievances can no longer be ignored, and their voices will only get louder across the South, including for the legitimate demand of independence. As ever, we stand ready to discuss with our international allies our vision for the South and to play our part in de-escalation and counter-terrorism toward sustainable peace in the region.
Statement by UN Security Council, 29 August 2019
“The Security Council underlines its full support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (the Special Envoy), Martin Griffiths, and calls on the Government of Yemen and the Houthis (the parties) to engage constructively and continuously with him. The Council commends the tireless efforts of the Special Envoy to support the parties to implement the Stockholm Agreement and to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.
“The Security Council expresses its deep concern at the escalation in violence and the recent loss of life and injuries in Aden, Saa’da, Sana’a, Shabwa and across Yemen. It calls once again on all parties to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law, including in relation to ensuring the protection of civilians, particularly to children and access for humanitarian organisations, and their obligations under international human rights law, as applicable. The Security Council underlines the need to ensure accountability for violations in Yemen.
“The Security Council is particularly concerned by recent developments in the south of Yemen, including the violent attempt to take over state institutions. It calls on all involved parties to show restraint and to preserve Yemen’s territorial integrity. The Security Council welcomes and fully supports the efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convene a dialogue in Jeddah to resolve the situation, and calls on all parties to engage constructively to make those efforts a success.
“The Security Council fully supports the Special Envoy’s efforts to work with the parties to pave the way for the resumption of comprehensive negotiations, without delay, on the security and political arrangements necessary to end the conflict and resume a peaceful transition. The Security Council supports a negotiated political settlement that engages all parties in an inclusive dialogue to resolve differences and address the legitimate concerns of all Yemenis, including those in the south, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216 (2015), the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.
“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the escalation of Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and calls on them to cease such attacks immediately without preconditions. It underlines that such attacks, which have killed, injured and endangered civilians, pose a serious national security threat to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as a wider threat to regional security, and threaten to undermine the UNled political process.
“The Security Council reiterates its call on the parties to continue bro ader implementation of the Stockholm Agreements. In particular, they urge the parties to work closely with the Special Envoy and redouble efforts to finalise arrangements for the Prisoner Exchange agreement, which would help build confidence between the parties, and to work on the implementation of the Statement of Understanding on Taiz.
“The Security Council welcomes the constructive meeting of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) on 14 and 15 July and the parties’ renewed commitment to implementing phase one of the Concept of Operations (CONOPs) of redeployment from Hodeidah. It calls upon the parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy’s proposals for implementing phase one without further delay. It notes the positive progress made by the parties in agreeing phase two of the CONOPs and the enhanced ceasefire and monitoring in Hodeidah Governorate. It calls on the parties to implement the agreed CONOPS and continue to work towards full redeployment from Hodeidah City and the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa.
“The Security Council underlines the need for the United Nations Mission in support of the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) to progress towards its full deployment and reiterates its call on the parties, as set out in its resolution 2452 (2019) and 2481 (2019), to ensure the unhindered and expeditious movement into and within Yemen of UNMHA personnel and equipment.
“The Security Council expresses deep concern at the gravity of the humanitarian situation. It reiterates its call on all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel and flows of humanitarian supplies, including food and fuel, to prevent the diversion of humanitarian assistance, and to ensure the effective and sustained functioning of all of Yemen’s ports and road access across the country, which has seen a significant deterioration in recent months.
“The Security Council also reiterates the need to increase the pace and scale of the humanitarian response, and expresses its concern at reports that the UN is increasingly running out of funding and scaling down or stopping essential life-saving activities. Given the ongoing risk of famine and disease outbreaks, they urge all donors to fulfil promptly the pledges they have already made to the UN-led humanitarian response, and to provide any additional funding they can.
“The Security Council also recognises the huge challenges posed by Yemen’s struggling economy. In this regard, it welcomes and encourages continued progress on the Government of Yemen’s efforts to stabilise the Yemeni Riyal and pay public sector salaries and pension payments across the whole country. It also welcomes the deposits made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Central Bank of Yemen to support the import of essential food commodities and encourages replenishment of this funding to maintain the rial’s exchange rate. It further calls for the parties to continue to respect the integrity of the Central Bank of Yemen and other institutions underpinning Yemen’s economic stability. It also calls for the lifting of restrictions on economic activity and for the respect of national economic policy, and reiterates its call on the parties to continue to work with the Special Envoy on port revenues as part of the Hodeidah Agreement to expand the payment of public sector salaries across the country.
“Recognising the crucial peacebuilding role played by women in Yemen, the Security Council reiterates the importance of the full, effective and meaningful participation of women, as well as the meaningful engagement of youth, in the political process. It calls on the parties to increase the participation of women in their delegations to 30%, if necessary by adding additional members to their delegations.
“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.”
Statement by Yemeni government, 29 August 2019
Statement By the Government of Yemen On The Aerial Bombardment Undertaken By The United Arab Emirates Against The Troops Of The Legitimate Government In The Interim Capital Aden
August 29, 2019
The Government of the Republic of Yemen condemns the aerial bombardment undertaken by the united Arab emirates against the troops of the legitimate government in the interim capital Aden and environs of the city and also in the city of Zinjibar in the governorate of Abyan which resulted in deaths and injuries of innocent civilians and from our valiant armed forces.
We hold the UAE fully responsible for this blatant assault which is inconsistent with law and international legal instruments.
We renew our demand that UAE stops all kinds of financial and military support to all military formations outside the control of the state and rule of law.
We appeal to the brotherly kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its wise leadership as the leader of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen to stand aside by the legitimate government and stop this illegal and unjustified military escalation.
The government of Yemen reserves its legal right guaranteed by international law and by the charter of the United Nations to take all measures required to stop this dangerous assault and escalation.
We call on the international community especially the security council to condemn this blatant assault and to carry out its responsibility in preserving the security, peace, unity and integrity of all Yemen pursuant to all the relevant international resolutions.
Statement by the UAE, 29 August 2019
ABU DHABI, 29th August, 2019 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued the following statement:
"In response to the Yemeni Foreign Ministry's statement, the UAE affirms its right of self-defense against all threats targeting the Arab Coalition forces.
The recent aggravation in offensives against the Arab Coalition forces and civilians pose a menacing threat to the security of the coalition. This in turn has necessitated precise and direct air strikes on the 28th and 29th August, 2019 against terrorist militias as per the rules of engagement of the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law.
The military operation against the terrorist militias was based on confirmed field intelligence that the militias prepared to target the coalition forces - a development which required a preemptive operation to avert any military threat.
The strikes against the Arab Coalition were launched by armed groups affiliated with terrorist organisations. These armed groups attacked the Arab Coalition at Aden Airport, causing two injuries to the coalition forces.
Accordingly, the Coalition responded as per their right of self-defense to protect the security of their forces.
The UAE reaffirms that it will never hesitate to protect the Arab Coalition forces whenever necessity arises and retains its right of response and self-defence.
The UAE intelligence departments observed over the past weeks that terrorist cells started to accelerate their activity across Yemeni territories in a way that poses menacing threat to the strides made by the Arab Coalition to uproot the scourge of terrorism in Yemen. This also threatens the efforts made by the coalition to combat the Houthi militia, which is benefiting from the spread of instability and terrorism.
The UAE, therefore, expresses deep concern over the current troubling conditions in Yemen in light of the resumption of terrorist offenses after the success made by the coalition over the past years to confront terrorism in Yemen, primarily Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is considered among the most dangerous terrorist groups and whose influence has been significantly curbed thanks to the Arab Coalition’s efforts."
