Aidarous al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and a member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council issued a stark warning on Thursday, May 30, 2024, that the Houthi militia, internationally designated as a terrorist group, is "preparing and mobilizing for a new phase of escalation on land and sea."

    During a virtual meeting with ambassadors from 24 European countries to Yemen, al-Zubaidi revealed that the Houthis are amassing forces "towards Shabwa, Al-Dhale, Yafa, and Abyan," while simultaneously continuing their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.

He asserted that "talking about peace while the Houthis continue their escalation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb is no longer feasible and contradicts the realities on the ground."

Al-Zubaidi emphasized the need for "intervention from the regional and international communities, especially the European Union, to strengthen humanitarian support for our country, enabling it to overcome the current circumstances."

    The meeting, according to the STC's official website, discussed "the evolving humanitarian situation in our country amidst the economic collapse and its repercussions on citizens in the capital Aden and liberated governorates."

European Union ambassadors reaffirmed their countries' support for the Presidential Leadership Council and their backing for efforts to implement genuine reforms within government institutions. These reforms, they believe, will enable the government to fulfill its duties in providing services, halting economic deterioration, and normalizing conditions in all liberated governorates.

   On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, al-Zubaidi accused the internationally recognized Yemeni government, in which his council holds several ministerial positions, of "incompetence and failure," hinting at a possible reconsideration of his participation in the Presidential Council and the government.

    Aden declared the interim capital, and other Yemeni regions are witnessing a rapid deterioration in economic conditions, characterized by soaring prices following a sharp decline in the local currency against foreign currencies. This has significantly impacted the living standards of citizens.

    The STC, a key component of the Presidential Leadership Council, holds several government portfolios and has maintained military and administrative control over the interim capital Aden since September 2019.