The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen conducted airstrikes in the southern Dhale governorate on Wednesday, targeting forces associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC). These strikes followed the reported absence of STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi from a scheduled flight to Riyadh for peace discussions. Concurrently, the head of Yemen's internationally recognized government announced al-Zubaidi's removal from the Presidential Leadership Council, citing accusations of high treason and requesting an investigation.
Recent Developments and Coalition Actions
On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition stated it had conducted strikes around 4:00 AM local time (01:00 GMT) in the Dhale governorate. The coalition indicated these actions targeted forces associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC). According to the coalition, al-Zubaidi was expected to depart from Aden on Tuesday night for talks in Riyadh but did not board the aircraft, and his location became a subject of various reports.
The coalition and Yemen's internationally recognized government reported receiving intelligence that al-Zubaidi had mobilized a military force, including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, and various weaponry. This force reportedly left Aden around midnight and was later located in Dhale. The coalition stated these strikes were aimed at neutralizing these forces and preventing an escalation of conflict. An advisor to al-Zubaidi, Amr Al-Bidah, claimed two fatalities and 14 injuries among civilians due to the bombing in al-Zubaidi's village, located in the Zubaid area of Dhale.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding al-Zubaidi's whereabouts. Source 4 stated al-Zubaidi reportedly remained in Aden, with his advisor confirming he was "on the ground in Aden conducting his duties." Conversely, the Saudi-led coalition announced on Thursday that al-Zubaidi had departed Aden by vessel on Wednesday night, arriving at Berbera port in Somaliland. From there, he reportedly boarded a plane with UAE officers, flying to Mogadishu, Somalia, before continuing to Al Reef military airport in Abu Dhabi. The coalition stated the plane's identification systems were deactivated over the Gulf of Oman during this journey. Neither the STC nor the UAE provided immediate comment on these claims.
Government Response and Allegations
Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's internationally recognized government’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced al-Zubaidi's removal from the council. Al-Alimi cited "committing high treason" and "inciting internal strife" as reasons for the removal and requested the country’s Attorney General to initiate an investigation and legal action against al-Zubaidi. Yemen's deputy foreign minister, Awsan al-Aud, declared the STC a "banned entity" and called for its dismantling or transformation into a purely political organization.
Concurrently, Yemeni government ground forces, supported by Saudi Arabian air attacks, advanced into STC-controlled Aden. The interior ministry of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government declared that government-aligned National Shield Forces (NSF) had "secured" the southern city of Aden and that its security situation was "under control." The NSF released a video indicating movements to "secure several provinces" in the south previously controlled by the STC.
Southern Transitional Council Background and Objectives
The STC advocates for an independent state in southern Yemen and has historically received support from the United Arab Emirates. Initially, the STC supported Yemen's internationally recognized government against Houthi rebels in northern Yemen after the Houthis seized the capital Sana'a in 2014, leading to the 2015 military intervention by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In December, the STC initiated an offensive against Saudi-backed government troops, gaining control of substantial areas in southern Yemen, including the Hadramout and Mahra provinces. These provinces, bordering Saudi Arabia, constitute nearly half of Yemen's territory. Riyadh characterized these territorial changes as a threat to its national security.
Previous Confrontations and Shifting Alliances
Riyadh responded to the STC's December advances with airstrikes on the Yemeni port of Mukalla on December 30, targeting what it described as a UAE-linked weapons shipment. The internationally recognized government, backed by Riyadh, also called for Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemen. Abu Dhabi denied the weapons shipment allegations and affirmed its commitment to Riyadh's security, subsequently announcing the conclusion of its "counterterrorism mission" in Yemen on the same day.
Following the UAE's announcement of withdrawal, Yemeni government troops, supported by Saudi Arabian air attacks, later regained control of Hadramout, Mahra, and Shabwah governorates. Aden, which had served as the seat of Yemen's government since 2014, saw government officials relocate to Riyadh last month after STC forces launched their offensive.
The STC had announced its intention to participate in peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that the STC delegation, excluding al-Zubaidi, departed Yemen for Riyadh in the early hours of Wednesday morning. However, an STC foreign affairs official, Amr Al-Bidh, stated on Tuesday that a delegation of over fifty STC officials had been incommunicado since their arrival in Riyadh, describing the situation as "very worrying." The Saudi ambassador to Yemen posted a photograph on X on Wednesday showing him meeting with these officials in Riyadh.
Regional Context and Motivations
Over the past decade, the strategic objectives of the UAE and Saudi Arabia within Yemen have diverged. The UAE's historical support for southern separatists from 2017 was viewed as a counterbalance to certain factions and as a means to control Red Sea ports. Saudi Arabia, sharing a border with Yemen, opposes Yemen's fragmentation, citing concerns about its potential impact on the broader campaign against the Houthis controlling northern Yemen.
An ultimatum was reportedly issued to al-Zubaidi by Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi defense minister, requesting his presence in Riyadh for "serious, brotherly discussion" to address the STC's needs, forces, operational mechanisms, and future coordination. The communication warned of "serious consequences" for any delay or failure to respond.