Radfan in Yemen rises up: a new popular mandate for the Southern Transitional Council

Thousands of Yemenis gathered on Thursday in Radfan, in Lahj governorate, to renew the popular mandate granted to the Southern Transitional Council.

Participants in the demonstrations supporting the Southern Transitional Council arrived from various southern regions to take part in the “Million-Man March of Resilience and Confrontation.”

This mass rally came in response to a call issued by the local leadership of the Southern Transitional Council in Lahj governorate.

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Demonstrators raised banners rejecting any attempts to bypass, dismantle, or undermine the Southern Transitional Council and its national role.

In a statement issued following the “Million-Man March of Resilience and Confrontation,” the following points were emphasized:

• “Radfan has always been and will remain the starting point of major turning points, the source of decisive decisions, and the cradle of the southern national project.” 

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• “The full renewal of the mandate granted to the President of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarous Qassem al-Zoubaidi, and to the Council itself, as the legitimate political representative vested with popular authorization, and the rejection of any attempts to create artificial entities aimed at fragmenting the southern front.” 
• “The rejection of any incomplete projects that fail to meet the aspirations and objectives of the people of the South in restoring their fully sovereign state.” 
• “Full adherence to the political statement and constitutional declaration issued by the President of the Southern Transitional Council on January 2, as a comprehensive national reference.” 

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• “The rejection of any infringement on the institutions and bodies of the Southern Transitional Council, condemnation of the attacks targeting the headquarters of the National Assembly, and the demand for lifting restrictions and threats imposed on Aden Independent Channel, along with the swift resumption of its broadcast as the voice of the people of the South and an expression of their will.” 
• “The affirmation that dialogue remains a steadfast approach in accordance with the principles adopted by the Southern Transitional Council and the outcomes of the Southern National Charter, and that any dialogue or negotiations must be conducted on the basis of a clear popular mandate and in line with the will of the people of the South.” 
• “A warning against any attempts to undermine or weaken the Southern Armed Forces, considered the safety valve of the South, given the risks this would pose to security and stability, international maritime navigation, and the potential return of terrorist organizations.” 

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• “A call on the international community, the United Nations, and human rights and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to protect the people of the South, halt the pressures they are facing, and recognize their right to pursue the project of restoring their state.” 
• “A demand addressed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the immediate release of Defense Minister Lieutenant General Mohsen al-Daari, the lifting of restrictions imposed on the Southern Transitional Council’s delegation, and enabling its return to the capital, Aden.” 

“The declaration of an unequivocal rejection of the return of the President of the Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, or any northern leadership figures to the southern governorates, considering any such presence a provocation of the will of the people of the South, while affirming that all options for escalation will remain open.”

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