Government forces have intensified a crackdown on the southern movement in recent weeks.

The Supreme Council of the Southern Movement said Wednesday that participating in the 20th Gulf Cup would lend support to Yemen's government at a time when "the south is bleeding.''

The tournament is to bring together teams from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen.

The tournament draw was held in the Yemeni port city of Aden on Sunday. The championship is scheduled for Nov. 22 to Dec. 4 in the cities of Aden and Abyan.