Local sources reported on Friday, August 23, 2024, that security forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) had abducted a prominent Southern Movement activist in the city of Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen.

Sources told "Barran Press" that security belt forces, led by STC commander Jalal Al-Rubaie, abducted Sami Omar Bawazir, a Southern Movement activist in Aden, early Friday morning from the Kaltex roundabout in the Mansoura district.

The sources stated that the security belt forces took Bawazir to the Nasr prison, citing his social media activity as the reason for his arrest. They noted that Bawazir had previously joined the STC after being a leader in the Southern Movement.

The abduction of Bawazir comes amidst a growing trend by the STC to suppress any political activities that contradict its agenda. This trend was evident last week when the STC prevented youth events from taking place. Previously, Aden has witnessed the abduction of Southern Movement leaders, which some attribute to their refusal to join the council.