Aden (South24)

Earlier today, the President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, opened the Supreme Military Academy in the capital, Aden.

During a tour with Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Daari, Al-Zubaidi inaugurated the headquarters of the academy, which was established in the Badr Military Camp in central Aden.

Aidrous Al-Zubaidi and Mohsen Al-Daari at the headquarters of the academy. December 13, 2023 (STC media).

Pictures published on the STC website showed the various departments and facilities of the Supreme Military Academy.

Al-Zubaidi met with the Minister of Defense, heads of departments within the ministry, and officers studying at the academy. “This is a step towards a strong military establishment,” the Southern leader said.

“All forces established since 2015 will be under the command of the Minister of Defense in any military battle,” Al-Zubaidi added during the meeting.

His statement emphasized the positive relationship between the Southern forces and the Ministry of Defense for the internationally recognized government.

The official STC website conveyed statements made by Al-Zubaidi regarding Palestine and the recent developments in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

He said: "The escalation by the Houthi militia poses a threat to the national and food security of our country. We affirm that the armed forces stand with the international community in protecting maritime shipping lines."

"We are part of the tolerant international civil community, and we have never been, and will never be, bandits or sea pirates," he added.

Al-Zubaidi recalled the historical roles of Southerners in supporting Palestine. He said: “No one can surpass our country or our people in their support for the Palestinian people throughout history.”

“Aden was one of the first Arab capitals to embrace the people of Palestine, whether citizens or faction leaders, and everyone knows that,” Al-Zubaidi added.

The statements were made in response to declarations made by the Houthis over the past several weeks, in which they tried to promote themselves as supporters of the Palestinian cause.

The Iranian-backed militants have carried out several attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab against commercial ships which they claim were linked to Israel.

Related: Houthis attack two commercial ships in Red Sea