UAE-backed Yemen body inaugurates National Assembly

Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council inaugurated a new National Assembly in south Yemen today, Aden Times reported.

The body, which was sworn in in the Shabwa province, marks the beginning of the STC’s governance in the southern region beyond Aden.

A large number of Yemenis across Shabwa province travelled to participate in the inauguration.

Southern Transitional Council is inaugurating the National Assembly and #Shabwa council leadership in #Azzan today. #SouthYemen #Yemen pic.twitter.com/YrSQ3DUdBh

— demolinari (@demolinari) October 24, 2017

Large numbers came from across #Shabwa to participate in the festivities. pic.twitter.com/ha3QqDSnTx

— demolinari (@demolinari) October 24, 2017

Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, the president of the STC, travelled to Azzan yesterday, accompanied by a number of council members. The Shabwani Elite Force greeted Al-Zubaidi with a large group of local residents.

The Aden Times reported that Al-Zubaidi chose to set up the National Assembly in Azzan in a bid to announcement a state of peace and security after pushing out Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula from the Shabwa province.

The Shabwani Elite Force is backed by the UAE which has been involved in intense counter-terrorism operations in the Shabwa province alongside the US.

The UAE entered the Yemen civil war as part of the Saudi-led coalition to support Yemen’s President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s governance in March 2015. Two years into the conflict, the Emirates supported the STC, which calls for secession from northern Yemen and Hadi’s rule.

The STC is made up of 26 governors from southern governorates and is also known as the Hirak Movement.

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