Aden (South24) 

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The celebrations of South Yemen’s 56th Independence Day continued for its third day today, to commemorate the state’s independence from Britain on November 30th, 1967.

Numerous artistic events and carnivals were held in the capital, Aden, and other cities across the country.

Hundreds of people, carrying South Yemen flag in honor of the occasion, gathered in the city of Ataq in the Shabwa governorate on Thursday.

#BREAKING

South24's camera roams the 56th anniversary of the Independence Day celebrations in Shabwa, where thousands raised the flags of the South #Yemen state demanding its independence#south24 pic.twitter.com/FdQpXSwM13

— South24 | English (@South24E) November 30, 2023

Participants from various locations came together to chant the national anthem of the former state of South Yemen.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) organized an artistic event in Aden, which was attended by senior Southern officials.

An artistic ceremony in Aden on the anniversary of the Independence Day of South Yemen, November 30, 2023 (AIC)

The President of the STC National Assembly, Ali Al-Kathiri, said that they will continue to work toward reclaiming future independence for South.

Al-Kathiri places a wreath at the Tomb of the Soldier [national landmark] in Aden, November 30, 2023 (AIC)

“We will regain our state, and our cause is present in all political forums,” Al-Kathiri said during the celebration.

Al-Kathiri placed a wreath at the Tomb of Soldiers, a national landmark in the Al-Tawahi district in Aden.

On Socotra Island, near the Gulf of Aden, Southern forces displayed heavy weaponry as part of the anniversary celebrations.

A military parade by the Southern forces on Socotra Island on the anniversary of South Yemen’s Independence Day, November 30, 2023 (activists)

Another artistic ceremony was also held in the city of Hadibu in Socotra, in the presence of the STC Secretary-General Fadl Al-Jaadi.

Yesterday, multiple celebrations were held in Aden, Abyan, and Al Dhalea, to commemorate South Yemen’s Independence Day.

To mark the commemoration, STC President Aidrous Al-Zubaidi addressed the nation.

In his address, Al-Zubaidi said, "We affirm our steadfastness in continuing on the path of freedom and independence and preserving the achievements and victories achieved."

"We call on the free world, and the international system that believes in the rights of peoples to self-determination, to support the aspirations of our people to restore and build their state," he added. 

Al-Zubaidi said that the return of statehood to South "will be an important factor in security and stability in the region, in the fight against terrorism, and in protecting international shipping lanes."

In North Yemen, the Houthi militia prevented any Independence Day celebrations, in line with their extremist stance toward an independent South.

The Iranian-backed militia attributed its decision to sympathy for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

However, the Houthis have held dozens of events over the past weeks in celebration of their own holidays and special occasions.