Security calm prevailed across Yemen’s liberated areas on Saturday, a day after the leadership of the Southern Transitional Council announced the dissolution of the council and all its bodies at home and abroad.
This paves the way for participation in the anticipated Riyadh conference dedicated to the southern issue, a step widely seen as pivotal in reshaping political and security arrangements in southern Yemen.
While the Hadhramaut governorate continued to strengthen its security presence and consolidate stability through a series of measures and official assurances, local authorities in the interim capital, Aden, tightened precautionary steps, rejecting what they described as suspicious calls that could lead to chaos.
The measures coincided with a heavy deployment of Giants Brigades and National Shield forces, which took control of the security situation.
In this context, the newly appointed Minister of State and Governor of Aden, Abdulrahman Sheikh al-Yafei, took the constitutional oath on Saturday before the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, according to official media.
The state news agency Saba reported that Al-Alimi met with the new governor and emphasized the priority of unifying decision-making and strengthening the role of the security committee in Aden.
He underscored the need for the state to exclusively control weapons, enable its institutions to exercise their legal authorities, and entrench the rule of law as a cornerstone of stability.
Al-Alimi also called for upholding the values of tolerance, coexistence, and social peace, preventing any acts of revenge or retaliation, and facilitating the work of humanitarian organizations to ensure the smooth flow of aid, contributing to improved living conditions for citizens.
He urged Aden’s local leadership to work jointly with the government to improve basic services, particularly electricity, create a safe and attractive environment for investment, remove administrative obstacles, boost local and sovereign revenues, restore investor confidence, and reinforce Aden’s status and its historic port as a regional commercial hub.
In a televised address on Saturday, Al-Alimi announced the formation of a Supreme Military Committee under the leadership of the Coalition forces.
The committee will prepare, equip, and command all military forces and formations, aiming to unify military decision-making and enhance state readiness to restore its institutions peacefully or by force if the Houthis refuse peace.
He confirmed the completion of the handover of military camps in Hadhramaut, Al-Mahra, the interim capital Aden, and other liberated areas, reaffirming the state’s commitment to the southern issue and support for convening a comprehensive southern dialogue conference under Saudi sponsorship, with its outcomes to be implemented under regional and international guarantees.
Observers say Al-Alimi’s positions signal the beginning of a new phase of unity aimed at achieving security and stability in Yemen’s liberated governorates and protecting them from the Houthis, terrorist operations, and any threats to Yemen’s security and stability.
They note that the presidential council chairman continues to emphasize the Yemeni government’s belief in the just southern cause, pointing out that Saudi Arabia will lead this phase with the participation of the legitimate government and Yemeni parties, as Riyadh is set to host a conference on the southern issue with the participation of southern figures and leaders.
Rejection of Chaos
Earlier, Aden’s local authorities issued a key security directive based on instructions from the Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Abdulrahman al-Muharrami, and a decision by al-Yafei, banning any gatherings or mass rallies during the current period.
The directive stated that the local authority is not opposed to demonstrations in principle, but rejected the timing, describing the current phase as sensitive and challenging.
It warned of attempts to exploit any peaceful activity by infiltrators to drag it toward violence and target institutions, military camps, and public and private property.
The statement said the circulating calls promoted by elements of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council had not obtained any official permit and were not backed by any responsible or coordinated entity, making them vulnerable to infiltration by terrorist organizations seeking to undermine stability.
It stressed that maintaining security does not mean suppressing opinions, and that peaceful expression will remain open once conditions stabilize.
The local authority urged citizens to comply with the directive and not be drawn into suspicious calls, affirming that security agencies will deal firmly and in accordance with the law with any violations, to safeguard the capital and its residents.
