In a move that seems meant to reduce tensions between the Southern
Transitional Council and the Yemen government, the STC separatist forces
have withdrawn from several key public buildings in the southern capital of Aden.
The STC and their supporters took the entire city of Aden over the
couple of days last weekend, and have held it since, refusing Saudi
demands to give it back to the government. They have promised to
ultimately take over all of South Yemen as an independent country.
The STC has withdrawn from Aden’s supreme court, the central bank, and
they also plan to hand over the refinery to the presidential guard under
STC supervision. This might calm accusations from the government that
they are “seditious” forces.
At the same time, the STC and government have contrasting visions for
the post-war future. Because of this, the STC will want to retain a
foothold in Aden that will ensure they don’t get quietly cut out of the
situation in the years of war to come.
South Yemen Separatists Withdraw From Some Aden Public Buildings
Separatists aim to resolve dispute without ceding the city
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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