SANA’A — The Southern Movement met Tuesday for a carnival commemorating the Al-Mansoura martyrs who fell during the most recent chaotic event witnessed in Aden.

For the first time, senior southern figures, including Hassn Baom and former ambassador Ahmed Abdullah Al-Hasani, were in attendance. Baom returned to Aden last month after having been abroad for months.   

Southern Movement leaders deemed the return of Al-Hasani as a source of fresh momentum for the revolution and a revival of the southern issue, particularly in the current circumstances and developments the south has undergone.

 During the carnival, Al-Hasani questioned the absence of the international community and its neglect of what he called crimes against humanity, freedom and rights.

“These crimes are criminalized by international law,” Al-Hasani said. “The regime in Sana’a has committed such offenses, helped by its troops and spies, since the invasion of the south in 1994.”

Qasim Askar, the general secretary of the Supreme Council of the Southern Movement, said the situation in the south is not as it was in the past.

“We struggle peacefully and hope violence between the south and north stops,” Askar said. “We will keep good bonds with the north after the end of the northern occupation of Aden. This could happen in case the excessive use of force is stopped. The last assaults will not pass without justifications or investigations.”

Askar said the peaceful Southern Movement has run out of patience, indicating that there will be a surprise in the days to come.

With regard to the former president of South Yemen, Ali Salem Al-Beed, and his return, Askar said Al-Beed’s return in order to take part in the Southern Movement dialogue is not confirmed. He indicated that the delay of the dialogue was for reasons related to its organization.