Thousands of people rallied in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Saturday in a show of support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), amid conflicting reports over the group's alleged self-dissolution.
Pro-secession participants, some traveling from neighboring southern provinces, gathered in Aden, the seat of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). Demonstrators held portraits of STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi and chanted slogans accusing Saudi Arabia of backing the PLC's efforts to retake areas previously seized by the STC.
"We rushed to the square from all directions to protest the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council," said Abdul Qawi Mohammed, a protester.
The STC, a group seeking southern Yemen's independence and allegedly backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), seized parts of southern and eastern Yemen in December in advances that heightened tensions with Saudi Arabia.
Over the past few days, Saudi-backed forces largely regained control of these areas. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the PLC, said in a televised statement on Saturday that all contested cities had been brought under their control.
On Friday, an STC delegation in Riyadh announced on Saudi state media the dissolution of the group. However, the STC's leadership strongly denied this, describing it as "fabricated and legally void." The council said the claims were made under coercion and without any legitimate authority, insisting that it remains intact and continues to operate normally.
The STC delegation was in Riyadh for political consultations but was reportedly detained. Al-Zubaidi, the STC leader, did not attend the talks and had secretly left Yemen for the UAE.
Despite joining the Saudi-led coalition and integrating into Yemen's ruling PLC in 2022, the STC continues to push for sovereignty for the south, fueling recurring disputes over power-sharing and control of resources.
Thousands rally in Aden supporting Southern Transitional Council
Thousands rally in Aden supporting Southern Transitional Council
China's movie market is experiencing an unprecedented boom during this year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday, with nearly 20 films to be put on screens on the Chinese mainland, the highest number of releases for the same holiday period in a decade.
The holiday film market opens as China's annual box office revenue for 2026 exceeded 16.5 billion yuan (about 2.44 billion U.S. dollars) as of Thursday, according to industry data.
The films scheduled for release span a range of genres, including spy thriller, romance, suspense, animation, action, and teen comedy, offering a cinematic feast for audiences of all ages.
Scheduled for release on Friday, Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's spy drama "I Know Who You Are" is one of the holiday releases. It follows a police officer's long-term investigation of a suspected spy neighbor that spans nearly four decades. Notably, the story unfolds in Beijing's hutongs (alleyways), weaving together personal drama and historical change.
Domestic sci-fi film "The Boy Who Counted Cars" explores a world where the virtual and real intertwine. The film follows a young man who believes he is the only real person in a simulated world and embarks on a journey to uncover reality after meeting a quirky young woman.
Romantic crime film "Invictus" follows a young man who finds hope in love but is soon plunged into crisis, as he and his partner confront hardship and stand up for their sense of justice.
Chinese drama "West By Northwest" interweaves three RV (recreational vehicle) travel stories across China that explore themes of family connection, generational conflict, and the search for closure among characters from different age groups as they face life's emotional and existential challenges.
Chinese animation blockbuster "Big Fish and Begonia" will return to theaters for a 10th-anniversary re-release.
The holiday lineup also includes the Hollywood animated film "Toy Story 5," the latest installment in the beloved franchise. Set against a digital-age backdrop, the film continues the series' trademark warmth and humor while highlighting the survival challenges faced by traditional toys amid technological change.
As this year's Dragon Boat Festival coincides with Father's Day, the holiday lineup features a variety of father-son movies.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it is celebrated on Friday and the holiday runs from Friday to Sunday.
About 20 films to hit on Chinese screens during Dragon Boat Festival holiday
