Barran Press
Saud Al-Yousefi, Vice President of the General People's Congress (GPC) in Marib, has revealed that the GPC and the Islah party formed an alliance in the province, despite lingering tensions from the 2011 uprising.
In an interview with the YouTube channel "Barran Press," Al-Yousefi stated that the alliance between the two "powerful parties" in Marib was formed "despite the existence of numerous disagreements stemming from the events of 2011."
He elaborated that the GPC and its allies, led by Sheikh Abdulwahed Al-Qabli, along with Islah and its partners under the leadership of Sheikh Mabkhout bin Aboud, and all Marib party leaders, decided to unify their political stance, leading to the issuance of a "joint statement."
Regarding the general situation in Marib, Al-Yousefi said, "When the capital fell, people fled to various locations before the arrival of the coalition. Political parties and tribal communities, including the GPC, Islah, the Socialist, Nasserist, Ba'ath, and Al-Rashad parties, all played a role." He highlighted the "significant role" of Marib Governor Sultan Al-Arada in "unifying political, military, and tribal unity."
According to Al-Yousefi, the constitutional provision empowering any province to activate a "Defense and Security Committee" chaired by the governor, with the participation of the military commander, security agencies, and political parties, was implemented when the state collapsed. He emphasized that the GPC "opposed the decision in Sana'a and stood with the nation and legitimacy."
Responding to the evolving situation, Al-Yousefi asserted that "we had no choice but to sever our political and administrative ties with Sana'a. We also mobilized and rallied our ranks to confront the Houthi invasion of Marib."