Aden (South24) 

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The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has declared its ongoing support of Palestinians’ right to establish their own independent state and achieve peace.  

The declaration was made yesterday at a meeting of the STC Presidency in the capital city, Aden. 

The STC commented on the recent events and developments that have unfolded over the past few days amidst the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian factions.   

Their statement said: "We express deep regret over the civilian targeting" in Palestine. 

The STC called on the international community and the United Nations to take a stand and avoid double-standards in dealing with the emerging humanitarian issues. 

The statement added: "We emphasize the Arab Peace Initiative and the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain as a main gateway to achieving peace in the region." 

The Arab Peace Initiative, initially proposed and endorsed by the Arab League in 2002, then again in 2007 and 2017, offered normalization between Arab nations and Israel on condition of the latter’s withdrawal from occupied Palestine. The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements signed by Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain in 2020 to normalize diplomatic relations and recognize Israeli sovereignty.

In February 2021, STC President Aidrous Al-Zubaidi expressed the council’s readiness to normalize relations with Israel upon the establishment of independence for the state of South Yemen. 

However, the UAE-backed council maintains a position of support for the Palestinians.