In a dramatic turn of events, the leader of a separatist faction in Yemen has been accused of treason by a Saudi-backed presidential council after he skipped a crucial meeting in Riyadh. Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who heads the Southern Transitional Council (STC) that receives support from the United Arab Emirates, was expelled along with six other members of the presidency who claimed he was "undermining the independence of the republic."
The Saudi-led military coalition reported that Zubaidi "fled" instead of boarding a flight from Aden to Riyadh, and he allegedly mobilized a significant military presence in al-Dahle province. This prompted coalition forces to conduct airstrikes on his troops, resulting in casualties, including at least four fatalities.
The STC responded strongly, labeling the coalition's strikes as "unjustified" while asserting that Zubaidi remained in Aden. They also expressed concern over losing contact with their delegation in Riyadh, highlighting the growing tension in southern Yemen.
In recent weeks, southern Yemen has been teetering on the edge of renewed conflict, as various factions, already embroiled in a long-standing civil war against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, begin to clash with one another. This internal strife is further complicating the relationships between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
For several years now, forces aligned with the STC have taken control over much of southern Yemen, aiming to revive its status as an independent state by ousting troops loyal to the internationally recognized government and the Presidential Leadership Council overseeing it. Last December, the STC initiated military offensives to seize the eastern provinces of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, justifying these actions as necessary for restoring stability and combating threats such as the Houthis, al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
However, Saudi Arabia recently issued a warning that these advances, particularly near its borders, pose a direct threat to its national security and to overall stability within Yemen. Furthermore, Saudi officials accused the UAE of exerting pressure on its separatist allies to advance further into eastern Yemen, which led to a demand from the presidential council that all Emirati forces withdraw from the region.
In conjunction with these developments, the Saudi-led coalition claimed to have intercepted a shipment of military supplies intended for the STC, reportedly arriving from the UAE. The UAE expressed deep regret over the accusations but denied any involvement with weapons, nonetheless agreeing to withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen.
Following this escalation, government-aligned forces have managed to regain control of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, aided by coalition air support. In an effort to ease rising tensions, Zubaidi and an STC delegation were meant to fly to Riyadh for discussions. However, the coalition stated that the flight departed without Zubaidi, who had purportedly "fled to an unknown location."
Coalition spokesman Maj-Gen Turki al-Malki disclosed that they received intelligence indicating Zubaidi had moved a substantial number of military assets—including armored vehicles and heavy weaponry—from Aden towards al-Dahle. To counter this perceived escalation, coalition forces, in conjunction with legitimate government troops, executed preemptive strikes aimed at disrupting Zubaidi's maneuvers.
As a result, over 15 airstrikes targeted al-Dahle, causing civilian casualties and raising concerns about the humanitarian impact of this renewed violence. Maliki further accused Zubaidi of arming local factions in Aden to incite unrest, urging STC deputy leader Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami to enforce security measures.
In a significant development, the presidential council formally stripped Zubaidi of his membership, referring him to the attorney general to face serious charges, including "high treason" and other severe allegations related to undermining the republic's stability and harming military personnel.
The council's decree asserted that Zubaidi had exploited the cause of southern independence to commit grave offenses against civilians. In a response, the STC's foreign affairs authority stated that they had dispatched a delegation to Riyadh, demonstrating their commitment to engage in political dialogue. They emphasized that Zubaidi continues to perform his duties from Aden, actively overseeing military and civilian operations.
The STC expressed shock at the coalition's airstrikes, calling them an unfortunate escalation that contradicts the spirit of dialogue. They also raised alarms about the lack of information regarding their representatives in Riyadh, insisting that this situation necessitates urgent clarification.
What do you think about the unfolding events in Yemen? Are the accusations against Zubaidi justified or are they part of a larger power struggle? Share your thoughts!
