Why Does the Southern Transitional Council Hold on to Aden and What Signals Its Defeat in Yemen

The dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Aden has called for a “million-man rally” next Friday, describing the demonstration as a peaceful and civilized expression of its demands, in a fresh escalation targeting the new government led by Shaye’ Al-Zindani, the Presidential Leadership Council, and Saudi Arabia, which has become Yemen’s principal backer after the United Arab Emirates was expelled from the country in January.

In its latest statement, the STC described the cabinet as a “de facto government,” referring to it simply as the “Yemeni government” — wording that, within the council’s discourse, signals rejection and suggests it represents only northern Yemen. The council said the government was not formed through genuine partnership and was pursuing policies hostile to the south, which it says seeks independence.

A statement by STC spokesperson Anwar Al-Tamimi, who is based in the United Arab Emirates, included direct insults toward Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, referring to him in terms commonly used in Yemen for convicted criminals and mentioning him by name without title. The statement said developments in Aden had crossed red lines and threatened escalation, which later materialized in the call for street protests.

The mobilization constitutes a challenge to authorities in Aden, including local and security institutions, and also to Saudi Arabia, whose forces are present in the city to stabilize conditions and oversee the integration of military and security formations under government command.

The rally is also seen as an attempt to disrupt the government’s agenda and exert pressure that could keep it preoccupied, hindering its ability to manage the broader situation and deliver tangible improvements in public services — a key benchmark by which residents judge the government’s performance.

The STC appears to be betting on several factors. These include the presence of former STC figures within the