ADEN, YEMEN — Dr. Ahmed Obaid Ben Dagher, Chairman of the Shura Council and President of the National Coalition for Political Parties and Components, urged those hesitant to join the coalition to “take their seats,” stating that these positions are “vacant and can only be filled by them.” His remarks came during the coalition's official launch on November 5, 2024, in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, which includes 21 political parties and entities.

In his speech at the event, Ben Dagher expressed his hope that all parties would join this broad national framework. He emphasized that the coalition is open to any political component that sees resisting the Houthi coup and rejecting the modern forms of imamate as a national duty.

“We all must continue the dialogue. There are common grounds we find suitable for discussion among us; we all uphold the republican system, which embodies a broad national perspective of deep value and meaning,” he remarked.

Ben Dagher described the coalition as a “comprehensive alliance experience” aimed at inclusivity, asserting that it is designed to be interconnected with previous efforts rather than isolated from them. He noted that they are evolving their alliance, which emerged from the struggle against the Houthis, and expressed a commitment to tackle challenges collaboratively while fostering a spirit of cooperation.

He highlighted that the coalition is now more expansive and inclusive, having brought together seven political components, all of which have significant political and social presence that can make a difference in the anti-coup alliance landscape.

The establishment of this broad political coalition is considered a crucial step toward fostering political discussions that aim to strengthen strategies based on national consensus and lead to a Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue resulting in a comprehensive and just solution to end the coup, restore the state, and usher in a new era.

On the previous day, the Southern Transitional Council announced its decision not to participate in the coalition or its activities, as stated by spokesperson Salem Thabit Al-Awlaqi. In a brief statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Al-Awlaqi confirmed the council's non-involvement and indicated that it would later clarify its position on the coalition's outcomes.

Local sources reported that dozens of Southern Transitional Council supporters gathered outside the Coral Hotel, the venue for the coalition's launch, to express their opposition to the coalition after the council announced its non-participation.