Statement of Condemnation and Denouncement Issued by the Southern Transitional Council
Southern Transitional Council – 19 February 2026
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is following with deep concern and strong condemnation the serious developments that have taken place in the capital, Aden, namely the acts of repression and abuse targeting peaceful citizens who took to the streets in civilized demonstrations to express their rejection of imposed fait accompli policies and attempts to circumvent the will of the people of the South and their political aspirations.
The STC strongly condemns the use of live ammunition and excessive force against unarmed protesters, which resulted in one martyr and 21 injuries, and affirms the following:
First: Resorting to security repression constitutes a blatant violation of international conventions and human rights. It reflects the inability of forces seeking to impose their will to confront popular demands through peaceful means, a practice that is entirely unacceptable.
Second: The Southern Transitional Council holds the responsible authorities fully legally and criminally accountable for the safety of citizens and calls for the immediate and unconditional cessation of military targeting and oppressive practices against demonstrators.
Third: The urgent formation of an independent, transparent investigation committee is necessary to identify those responsible for issuing orders and carrying out the shootings, and to bring them to fair accountability.
Fourth: The right of the people of the South to express their political position and national cause is an inherent right that intimidation will not extinguish. Our people’s adherence to their decisive choices — foremost among them the restoration of their fully sovereign state — is irreversible.
Fifth: We address an urgent appeal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the countries sponsoring the political process, and the international community to assume their legal and moral responsibilities regarding the systematic repression faced by the people of the South, to intervene to protect civilians’ right to peaceful expression, and to halt attempts to falsify the popular will that undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the Council reaffirms that it will remain aligned with the will of the people and will defend their rights and national gains through all legitimate means.
Issued by:
Southern Transitional Council
Aden, Capital
19 February 2026