A council opposing Yemen’s Houthi rebels has expelled the leader of a separatist movement, charging him with treason after he reportedly declined to attend talks in Saudi Arabia. The decision, announced by the Presidential Leadership Council, marks a significant escalation in tensions between Saudi-backed forces and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has previously received support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The announcement, reported by the SABA news agency, comes amid mounting pressures in the region. The exact whereabouts of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the STC leader, remain unclear. The STC has not responded publicly to the expulsion or the subsequent allegations.
According to Major General Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, al-Zubaidi was scheduled to board a flight to Saudi Arabia but failed to do so alongside other council officials. Al-Malki stated, “The legitimate government and the coalition received intelligence indicating that al-Zubaidi had moved a large force, including armoured vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition.” He further confirmed that al-Zubaidi has since “fled to an unknown location.”
Tensions have escalated dramatically in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes on STC positions, reportedly targeting a shipment of Emirati weapons. The UAE announced on March 9, 2024, that it had withdrawn its forces from Yemen, a move that appears to have been made under pressure from Saudi Arabia and following an ultimatum from anti-Houthi factions.
The ongoing strife in Yemen has deepened the rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two neighboring countries on the Arabian Peninsula that have historically competed over economic influence and regional policies, especially in the strategically significant Red Sea area. Although both nations ostensibly share the goal of combating the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014, their diverging interests have become increasingly evident.
As the conflict continues, the expulsion of al-Zubaidi and the resulting military movements could further destabilize the region, complicating efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. The international community remains watchful as the situation develops, hoping for a resolution to a conflict that has caused widespread humanitarian crises and suffering among the Yemeni population.
