A Million-Person Rally in Aden Against the Houthis: The South Mobilises to Affirm Its National Project

The Arab South is preparing for its largest popular mobilisation in years, ahead of a central rally scheduled for next Wednesday, October 14, in Aden and across the southern governorates. The event has been named the “Million-Person General Popular Mobilisation to Defend the Arab South and Its National Cause”.

In a statement published on X, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, president of the Arab Southern Transitional Council in southern Yemen, said the mobilisation had been announced at an expanded extraordinary meeting of the Council’s central and local bodies held in Aden on October 4. The meeting approved a general popular mobilisation to defend the South and its national project.

According to al-Zubaidi, the rally aims to “preserve the South’s gains and the objectives of its liberation revolution, and protect its security, sovereignty, and its people’s pride and dignity against the threats posed by the terrorist Houthi militia and its Iranian expansionist project in Yemen, the region and the Red Sea”.

The statement also said the initiative comes as “the people of the South and their armed forces reaffirm that they safeguard the southern homeland, which cannot be ignored or bypassed”.

It praised “the heroes of the southern armed forces and their acts of bravery on the fronts against the Houthi militia”, arguing that “these achievements strengthen the legitimacy of the southern cause, which has become clear to public opinion”.

Organisers called for active participation and peaceful assembly at the central rally in Aden and throughout the southern governorates. They also urged support for security forces, including Aden police and the Security Belt forces, in protecting the capital. They further emphasised continued support for the southern armed forces on all fronts against the Houthi militias.

The rally coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the October 14 Revolution, giving it additional symbolic significance. The commemoration becomes an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the South’s national project amid regional and domestic challenges. Large crowds are expected in Aden and the southern governorates, reflecting southern unity and determination to protect their gains.