The Southern Transitional Council (STC) commemorated today, Saturday, in the capital, Aden, the 57th anniversary of National Independence Day, November 30, with a speech and artistic celebration, themed “Our identity is Southern... our independence is renewed,” in the presence of a number of members of the STC's Presidium, ministers in the government, and military and security leaders.

During the festival event, the Acting President of the STC, Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Ali Al-Kathiri, conveyed greetings of the President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, highlighting that November 30th marks the culmination of the struggle of our fathers and forefathers in the South against colonialism, stressing the importance of this glorious occasion in inspiring lessons and renewing our pledge to our people of the South to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs until realizing the aspirations of our people. He further added that this historic day was not merely a commemoration of independence but rather a declaration of the unity of the land of the South and the restoring of its state, making it the crowning achievement of the South's past struggles, and underscored the necessity of safeguarding these hard-wo gains and working towards achieving our aspired goals. 

Al-Kathiri elaborated that the current phase demands that everyone shoulder the historical responsibility of thwarting all attempts to fragment the South in terms of land and identity, and to confront all projects aimed at undermining the struggle of our people of the South that has spanned over three decades, especially as we celebrate our first Independence Day. He mentioned that the South is currently facing serious challenges, most notably economic and service-related warfare, stressing that cohesiveness and standing as one are the only means to realize the aspirations of our people on the path to restoring the state of the South.

Al-Kathiri indicated that the forces that are seeking to revive their influence in the South must understand that the people, who have been making huge ultimate sacrifices, will have a zero tolerance against their returning in any form and under any pretext and that the sterling will of the people of the South and their sacrifices serve as a safety valve against any attempts to revert to the past, and the current phase requires greater steadfastness to realize the aspirations of the people under the leadership of President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi towards the dawn of a second independence.

Al-Kathiri saluted the Southern Armed Forces (SAFs) and Security Services for their exceptional bravery in simultaneously countering Houthi militias and terrorist groups across various battle fronts, lauding our SAFs and Security Services ultimate sacrifices and heroic epics that contribute to safeguarding the South and ensuring its security and stability.

He noted that today coincides with the Emirati Martyr’s Day and extended the best greetings and sincere gratitude to the leadership and people of the UAE, praying for the precious souls of their blessed martyrs whose blood mingled with the blood of the blessed martyrs of the South, and reaffirmed standing with the official brothers in the Arab Coalition and with all countries that call for lasting peace that does not undermine the legitimate rights of the people of the South and their aspirations to restore their state.

It is worth mentioning that the event commenced with verses from the Holy Qur’an and the national anthem of the South, followed by reciting Al-Fatiha for the souls of the blessed martyrs of the South, and interspersed with artistic and patriotic segments, featuring artists who delivered rousing national songs that embodied the spirit of independence. Renowned Southern poet Mohammed bin Shuja'a also read a poem that ignited the emotions of the audience.