Southern Yemen separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi called for a “popular mobilization” against the Houthis and in defense of autonomy for the south on Tuesday, making his first television appearance since his Southern Transitional Council (STC) lost its territory to the government in January.
Zubaidi’s address comes as the Saudi-backed government forces, supported by former STC affiliates and other groups in the south, work to reverse gains made by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
What happened: Zubaidi pleaded with southern Yemenis to “mobilize” against the Houthis and in defense of the “political entity” in the south.
“We declare the general popular mobilization to defend the south and its national liberation project, and to continue the national defense battle against the Houthi militias and their Iranian expansionist project, and all extremist groups, targeting our people, its political entity and its armed forces throughout the Arab territories of the Arab Republic on the borders before May 22, 1990,” he said, referring to South Yemen, which was independent from 1967 to 1990.