President Al-Zubaidi Delivers a speech to Southerners on 59th Anniversary of 14th of October

SMA NEWS – ADEN THE CAPITAL
President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces and Deputy Head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), addressed a keynote speech to the people of the South, both at home and abroad, on the momentous occasion of the 59th anniversary of the glorious Revolution on the 14th of October.

The full Address is as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the praise of Allah and His peace be on Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], his family, and Companions.

Dear Great People of the South, both at home and abroad

With immense pride and pleasure, I extend my sincere greetings and warm congratulations to you on the momentous occasion of the 59th anniversary of the glorious 14th of October Revolution, which triggered its bright spark from the lofty peaks of Radhfan, in 1963, to announce to the world our brave people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity, and our rejection of the occupation and its oppression and humiliation.

The immortal revolution of the 14th of October, and with the limited

available capabilities to the struggling leaders and their members, was a commencement to the end of the British colonization, which occupied our land for more than a century, and culminated, after four years of struggling and sacrifice, with the achievement of complete independence on the 30th of November 1967, and the establishment of the young state of the South, announcing to the whole world the building of an independent state of the South that gained full membership in the United Nations and all regional and international bodies.

Indeed, this Immortal Revolution of October was great in its goals and the sacrifices of its heroes; men and women alike, both in the urban and rural areas of the south. It was the revolution that achieved a semi-impossible victory, due to the difference in military capabilities with the occupation in terms of equipment. Moreover, it has established an independent state that fulfilled the aspirations of the citizens of the South and dedicated the scarcely available resources and capabilities to living in freedom and dignity.

O free ladies and gentlemen

Unfortunately, this revolution and the founded state that its leaders were imbued with national values ​​and Arabic national culture were subject to hatched conspiracies. Consequently, it evoked an urgent need to restore and acquire inspiration from the values ​​and spirit of the liberating Revolution on the 14th of October to gain the denied freedom and confiscated rights. Therefore, the children and grandchildren of the brave heroes of October 1963 are waging a renewable revolution that has restored our people’s freedom, and it is still making its way with full stamina, steadfastness, and determination towards completing the goals of this revolution until culminating it in restoring and building the Independent Federal State of the South with its full sovereignty, on the borders of May 21, 1990, from Almahra to Al-Mandab Strait; a state in which security and stability will prevail, and will bring prosperity to all the people of the south. By learning lessons from the stumbling stones and failures of the past, as well as the experience and suffering of the present, we are entirely certain that victory is but an hour of patient perseverance.

Oh, Great People of the South

No doubt, the people of the South and the valiant armed forces are still fighting in an open war with terrorist organizations, with the never-ending and generous support of their official brothers in the Arab coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On one hand, you can keep an eye on the Houthi militias who continuously target our people on all axes, and on the other hand, terrorist organizations still escalate their treacherous operations in several governorates, which made it a necessity for our honourable heroes to respond forcefully and decisively against the Iran-backed Houthi militias and against the terrorist elements of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Ansar al-Sharia. It is worth to mention that it is a war that will never cease until we eradicate these organizations and their attacks that target our land and people’s interests, and undermining the right to have a decent, safe, and peaceful life on our homeland.

Re-reiteratedly, the position of the STC and PLC is obvious regarding peace and ceasing the war launched by the Houthi militias, a position based on the real aspiration for a just peace and the rejection of the idea of domination, arrogance, and jeopardizing the interests and gains of our people.

Truly, our battle against terrorism and those who fund and support it is constant. It can clearly be seen in the military operations of “Arrows of the East” and “Arrows of the South”. In the meantime, we look forward to cleansing the Valley of Hadramaut and Almahra. In this context, we are

hopeful of promptly relocating the military forces in these two governorates to the confronting fronts with the Houthi militias, in accordance with the requirements and provisions of al-Riyadh Agreement, and let the people of these two governorates manage their affairs.

O free strugglers

Verily, we are waging a military battle against the aggression of the Houthi militias, the forces collaborating with them, and the forces of terrorism and extremism. Meanwhile, we are waging a political and diplomatic battle to bring triumph to the cause of our people. In this respect, the meetings that were held with the official brothers in the Arab coalition led by the KSA and the representatives of the international community will remain open-ended. In the most recent of which we held on this paid visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, we affirmed to the world our position in supporting all efforts to establish peace and cease the war in accordance with a

UN-sponsored political process, which guarantees the south an active presence and effective representation, and sets a special negotiating framework for the cause of the people of the south in the negotiations to cease the war, as per the approved accord by all the political forces in al-Riyadh consultations sponsored by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, recalling that any attempt to jump over the cause of the south, or overshadowing the presence of the southern people will lead to a dead end. Thus, the South has to have a top priority.

O Valiant Heroes of the Southern Armed Forces

Really, we salute you with a special greeting appropriate to your heroism and victories, through which you have gained great glory and an immortal victory for your homeland and people, who are reciprocating your faithfulness with loyalty.We wholeheartedly congratulate you on this glory and the status you have attained, despite the inflicted pain and suffering, hatched conspiracies, and ceaseless targeting, and we pledge that we are with you and for you, to create the aspired future, and overcome all difficulties because it is our destiny, message, and duty towards our nation and our people.

O mothers, sisters and daughters…the brave women of the South

As we celebrate the anniversary of the 14th of October Revolution, we cannot miss the chance to greet you for projecting a role model in courage and sacrifice, and for advancing the queues of the struggle for 59 years, during which the southern woman was a mother, fighter, martyr, wounded, detainee, and leader. She has greatly been contributing to revolution and development, and we assure you that the leadership of the STC is still and will definitely remain betting on the role of southern women in making glories and building the future, we are certain that they are one half of the pillars of victory and fundamentals of construction and advancement.

O Young People of the South

Surely, you have been the pride of the nation and the source of its superiority, and now you are leading its victories and bearing upon your shoulders the burdens of standing up for its aspirations. Be as genuine patriotic as your country confides in you, because the nation places its hopes in you, and you are well-suited to assume the South’s responsibility now and forever.

Last but not least, praying to Allah the Almighty to bestow His vast mercy on the heroic martyrs of the southern homeland, since its first revolution until now. Furthermore we give a firm pledge to the pure blood of these martyrs and their ultimate sacrifice that we are on their path to achieve the victory, the full goals and aspirations of our people in restoring and building their aspired state that guarantees and preserves the rights of all.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Sincerely,

Aidarous Qassem Abdulaziz Al-Zubaidi, President

The commander in chief

of the Southern Armed Forces, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and Deputy Head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).