"Thousands flooded the Al Arood Square in Yemen's Aden on Friday to join 'Million March of Steadfastness and Decision,' reaffirming their support for the STC and its president, Aidaroos Al Zubaidi. Footage captures demonstrators chanting as they wave People's Democratic Republic of Yemen flags and hold up photos of Al Zubaidi. "What happens in the south reaffirms that the Al Maashiq government or the so-called legitimate government is categorically rejected," said Mustafa Muhammad, a demonstrator. "The southern people and STC should be taken into account. What happens across the squares reinforces the vital and influential role of the STC in the society of the south," he added. Another demonstrator, Qassem Al Malki, asserted that the Yemeni government's decisions do not reflect the interests of the country's southern people. "The southern people will not tolerate guardianship, humiliation or insults. They will constantly advocate for the independence of their state," he said. In a statement published on the STC's website, the group reaffirmed its full "confidence in Al Zubaidi to lead the [region's] next phase," stressing that the Southern Transitional Council serves as 
"the political framework that reflects the aspirations of the people of the South". Clashes took place in Aden near the Maashiq Presidential Palace between supporters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the security forces of the incumbent government. As a result, one person was killed and 21 others were injured, local media reported.      The rally comes amid ongoing demonstrations across several southern governorates in recent days, held in support of the Transitional Council and its political demands."