Wikipedia

Draft:State of South Arabia

State of South Arabia
دولة الجنوب العربي (Standard Arabic)
Emblem of South Arabia
Emblem[2]
Location of the territory claimed by the State of South Arabia
Location of the territory claimed by the State of South Arabia
StatusProposed country
CapitalAden
Government
EstablishmentYemeni civil war (2014–present)
History 
• Self-governance declared
26 April 2020[3]
2 December 2025 – present
• Constitutional declaration
2 January 2026
CurrencyYemeni rial (YER)

The State of South Arabia is a proposed country consisting of the territories of the former South Yemen, which existed as an independent sovereign state between 1967 and 1990 when it united with North Yemen as the present-day Republic of Yemen. Since 1990, there have been multiple proposals to re-separate the north and south, leading to the Civil war of 1994 and the more recent, and ongoing, South Yemen insurgency. Currently, the South Arabian independence movement is headed by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has taken control of the vast majority (if not all) of the former lands of South Yemen, including the former Southern capital of Aden.[4]

History

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British rule

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In 1914, following the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, the United Kingdom and Ottoman Empire divided Arabian Peninsula into two parts: the northwest under Ottoman control and influence, and the southeast under British control and influence.[5] The UK established the Aden Colony in 1937 and a Federation of the Emirates of South Arabia in 1959 which evolved into a western Federation of South Arabia alongside an eastern Protectorate of South Arabia in 1963.

Independent South Yemen

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Yemen prior to unification in 1990

Following an armed rebellion, British forces withdrew from southern Yemen in November 1967, resulting in the independence of the People's Republic of Southern Yemen which later became the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970. South Yemen a United Nations member state between 14 December 1967 and 21 May 1990.[6]

Unification

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The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and the neighbouring Yemen Arab Republic united in May 1990 as the Republic of Yemen. Southern separatists proclaimed a Democratic Republic of Yemen in May 1994, however the attempted succession was defeated in July that year.

The Southern Movement and its offshoots have their roots in protests and sit-ins organised by military and civil officials in many of the southern and eastern governorates[7], especially those who had been a member of the South Yemeni Armed Forces, who had been forced into an early retirement in 2007 demanding higher pensions.[8] From these protests, came other grievances against the incumbent government of Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Civil war

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In September 2014, the Houthi movement took control of Sanaa leading to the Yemeni Civil War prompting Yemen's internationally recognised government to move to Aden, the capital of the former South Yemen.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) was established on 11 May 2017 and has called for re-establishment of South Yemen as an independent state under the name "State of South Arabia".[9][10][11][12] The STC took control of Aden in January 2018 and allied with the Yemeni government the following year.The STC declared self-governance on 26 April 2020.[13] A power-sharing Presidential Leadership Council was established in 2022 with the STC allocated three out of the eight seats, and STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, holding the vice-chairmanship.[14] [15][16][17]

December 2025 offensive

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In September 2025, the STC called for a "two-state solution" to ending the Yemeni civil war.[18] Three months later, on 2 December 2025, the STC launched an offensive across southern Yemen rapidly capturing most of the territory of the former South Yemen by 8 December. [19][20] In the immediate aftermath, Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi and Yemani prime minister Salem Saleh bin Braik left Aden for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[21]

Following the offensive, rallies and sit-ins were held in Aden and other cities demanding the re-establishment of an independent state in South Yemen.[22][23] By 21 December several ministers in the Yemeni cabinet had issued statements supporting southern independence and STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi had declared that the "next stage will be the stage of building institutions of the future state of South Arabia".[24][25][26] In response PLC chair Rashad al-Alimi, still in Riyadh, stated that these ministers had "exceeded their functional responsibilities" and ordered legal action against "violations undermining state authority".[27] Subsequently the five non-STC members of the Presidential Leadership Council resolved to suspend any public official who supported southern succession.[28]

January 2026 constitutional declaration

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On 2 January 2026, the STC published a constitutional declaration for the State of South Arabia, conterminous with the borders of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, which had existed as an independent sovereign United Nations member state between 1967 and 1990.[29] The STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaid stated that the constitution would be in effect for two years, after which a a referendum on "exercising the right to self-determination for the people of the South" would be held. Al-Zubaid also called for dialogue between the relevant parties in northern and southern Yemen regarding the "paths and mechanisms that guarantee the right of the people of the south".[30][31] Nevertheless, they stated that the declaration will take effect immediately if the call for dialogue is ignored or if they come under military attack.[32]

January 2026 PLC counteroffensive

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Saudi-backed forces loyal to the Presidential Leadership Council launched a counteroffensive in early January 2026. PLC forces took back control of Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah governorates between 2 and 4 January 2026.[33] Following Saudi air strikes, pro-PLC forces pushed the STC out of Abyan and Shabwah between 6 and 7 January 2026. On 8 January, pro-PLC forces took control of Aden and the STC had announced its dissolution.

Geography

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The State of South Arabia claims all the territory of the former South Yemen which is located at the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula and includes the islands of Socotra in Arabian Sea and Perim in the Strait of Mandeb.

Government and politics

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Executive branch

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The STC Presidential Commission was announced in May 2017 and as of May 2023 has 26 members with Aidarus al-Zoubaidi serving as president and Hani Bin Breik as vice-president.[34][35][36]

Legislative branch

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The National Assembly is a deliberative body consisting of 303 members representing the districts and governorates of southern Yemen. Its speaker is Ali Al-Kathiri, who is also a member of the presidency.[37]

Foreign relations

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The Southern Transitional Council is widely considered as being backed by the United Arab Emirates.[38] In September 2025, Zoubaidi said in an interview that if the STC were to achieve an independent state, it would likely join the Abraham Accords stating that "if Gaza and Palestine regain their rights, the Accords will be essential for stability in the region."[39]

Military

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The Southern Armed Forces is the military component of the Southern Transitional Council. The Security Belt is its elite forces wing. The STC is also allied with militia groups including the Hadhrami Elite Forces, the Shabwah Defence Forces, and the Southern Giants Brigades

Administrative divisions

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Governorates in the former South Yemen (Dhale not shown)

The territory claimed by the State of South Arabia is comprised of the present day governorates of Aden, Lahij, Dhale (part), Abyan, Shabwah, Hadhramaut, Al Mahrah and Socotra. The governorates are further divided into districts.

List of governorates
Name in
English		Name in
Arabic		CapitalArea
(km2)[40]		Population
(2013)[41]		Population
Density
Abyanأبين Zinjibar21,939658,824 30.0
Adenعدن Aden1,1141,087,653 976.3
Al Mahrahالمهرة Al Ghaydah122,500400,000 3.2
Dhaleالضالع Dhale4,786602,613 125.9
Hadramautحضرموت Mukalla191,7371,329,085 6.9
Lahijلحج Lahij15,210926,291 60.5
Shabwahشبوة Ataq47,728651,509 13.6
Socotraمحافظة أرخبيل سقطرى Hadibu235960,000 25.4

Demographics

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In 2013, the population of the present day governorates in the territory claimed by the State of South Arabia was 5,715,975 representing 19% of the population of Yemen.[41]

References

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  1. https://www.voiceofemirates.com/en/politics/2025/12/17/the-national-assembly-of-the-southern-transitional-council-we-support-the-national-movement-to-build-the-state-of-the-south-and-the-decisive-operation-to-cleanse-abyan-of-terrorism/
  2. ↑ https://www.voiceofemirates.com/en/politics/2025/12/17/the-national-assembly-of-the-southern-transitional-council-we-support-the-national-movement-to-build-the-state-of-the-south-and-the-decisive-operation-to-cleanse-abyan-of-terrorism/
  3. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-52428998
  4. ↑ "Yemen conflict: Southern separatists seize control of Aden". 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  5. ↑ Schofield 1999.
  6. ↑ https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states/yemen
  7. ↑ https://yementimes.com/as-demands-remain-unmet-retirees-threaten-to-continue-protests-archives2007-1082-front-page/
  8. ↑ https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/southern-yemenis-protest-yemeni-central-government-2007-2009-rrrr-rewrite#
  9. ↑ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/17/analysis-yemens-future-after-the-separatist-stcs-expansion-eastwards
  10. ↑ Wajdi, Izzat (2025-10-06). "حل الدولتين.. في اليمن" [The two-state solution... in Yemen]. الحرة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-12-04. القطيعة مع فكرة يمن موحد، حسب الزبيدي، "ستكون نهائية. لن يحمل اسم الدولة القادمة حتى كلمة اليمن". "دولة الجنوب العربي" هو الأكثر قبولاً لدى أنصار المجلس الانتقالي، وهو اسم قديم يعود إلى الاتحاد الذي أنشأه المستعمر البريطاني عند توحيده عددا من المشيخات والسلطنات في الجنوب قبل الاستقلال عام 1967. [The break with the idea of a unified Yemen, according to Al-Zubaidi, "will be final. The name of the future state will not even include the word Yemen." "The State of South Arabia" is the most acceptable name among supporters of the Transitional Council. It is an old name that dates back to the union created by the British colonists when they unified a number of sheikhdoms and sultanates in the south before independence in 1967.]
  11. ↑ Wajdi, Izzat (2025-10-06). "حل الدولتين.. في اليمن" [The two-state solution... in Yemen]. الحرة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-12-04. القطيعة مع فكرة يمن موحد، حسب الزبيدي، "ستكون نهائية. لن يحمل اسم الدولة القادمة حتى كلمة اليمن". "دولة الجنوب العربي" هو الأكثر قبولاً لدى أنصار المجلس الانتقالي، وهو اسم قديم يعود إلى الاتحاد الذي أنشأه المستعمر البريطاني عند توحيده عددا من المشيخات والسلطنات في الجنوب قبل الاستقلال عام 1967. [The break with the idea of a unified Yemen, according to Al-Zubaidi, "will be final. The name of the future state will not even include the word Yemen." "The State of South Arabia" is the most acceptable name among supporters of the Transitional Council. It is an old name that dates back to the union created by the British colonists when they unified a number of sheikhdoms and sultanates in the south before independence in 1967.]
  12. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/world/middleeast/yemen-militias-attack-oil-uae.html
  13. ↑ "Yemen separatists declare self-governance of south". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  14. ↑ DC (ACW), Arab Center Washington (2024-05-22). "Israel, the UAE, and Yemen's South: The Politics of Unlikely Alliances". Arab Center Washington DC. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  15. ↑ Saudi Research & Marketing (uk) Ltd. "Thirty Southern Figures Reject Transitional Council in Aden – ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English". english.aawsat.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "Separatist group announces self-rule in southern Yemen". Al Jazeera. 26 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020.
  17. ↑ "Banished Aden governor forms independent "South Yemen" council". alaraby. alaraby.co.uk. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  18. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (2025-09-25). "Yemen needs two-state solution as no prospect of ousting Houthis, says southern leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  19. ↑ Naar, Ismaeel (10 December 2025). "Yemeni Separatists Set Sights on Houthi-Controlled Capital". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  20. ↑ The New Arab (16 May 2017). "GCC: Aden-based Southern Transitional Council 'doomed to fail'". alaraby. alaraby.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  21. ↑ https://en.ypagency.net/378552
  22. ↑ https://south24.org/news/newse.php?tags=tens-of-thousands-rally-in-aden-demanding-restoration-of-south-arabia-state&nid=5166
  23. ↑ https://south24.org/news/newse.php?nid=5155
  24. ↑ https://arabi21.com/story/1727004/3-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF
  25. ↑ https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278767624/yemeni-govt-ministries-voice-support-for-stc-military-expansion-in-south
  26. ↑ https://south24.org/news/newse.php?nid=5168
  27. ↑ https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278767918/yemeni-presidency-rejects-ministers-pro-secession-statements
  28. ↑ https://www.newsline-ye.com/news121228.html
  29. ↑ https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/01/yemens-stc-announces-self-determination-process-south-what-know
  30. ↑ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/1/2/live-fighting-breaks-out-in-eastern-yemen-along-border-with-saudi-arabia
  31. ↑ https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/international-headlines/ap-yemens-separatists-announce-a-constitution-for-an-independent-south-in-escalation-of-conflict/
  32. ↑ Berry, Alex (2 January 2026). "Yemen separatists plan transition to independence by 2028". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Deadly battles erupt in southern Yemen as Saudi Arabia strikes separatists".
  34. ↑ "Where Coalitions Come to Die". Sana'a Center. 2019-09-04.
  35. ↑ Forster, R (September 2017). "The Southern Transitional Council: Implications for Yemen's peace process" (PDF). Middle East Policy. 24 (3): 133–144. doi:10.1111/mepo.12295. hdl:20.500.11820/eb7d2018-0f05-478d-aa15-3b38cdd796fa.
  36. ↑ https://twitter.com/demolinari/status/873599718256852992
  37. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20200904204732/https://al-ain.com/article/yemen-south-transitional-council/
  38. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/world/middleeast/yemen-militias-attack-oil-uae.html
  39. ↑ Harisi, Mohamad Ali (2025-09-24). "Yemen's Al Zubaidi on Southern independence and what comes next". The National. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  40. ↑ ctv.ca Yemen, divisions
  41. 1 2 Central Statistical Organisation of Yemen. Statistic Yearbook 2013 of Yemen Archived 12 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. The fields in the population.xls file are decimals (though they appear as whole numbers). To get the figures in the table, they were multiplied by 1000. Accessed 13 January 2016. Cite error: The named reference "CSO" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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