A Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on the home province of Yemen’s UAE-backed separatist leader, Aidaros Alzubidi, on Wednesday. This military action followed Alzubidi’s failure to attend a scheduled meeting in Riyadh after a 48-hour ultimatum, and his subsequent removal from the country’s presidential body.
The coalition’s decision to target Al-Dhale, Alzubidi’s home province, was prompted by allegations that he was mobilizing “large forces” in the region. His Southern Transitional Council (STC) had recently seized significant territories, heightening tensions among Yemen’s competing factions. The Presidential Leadership Council, which is composed of rival figures supported by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, announced Alzubidi’s removal, accusing him of high treason.
This significant geopolitical fallout has raised concerns about potential escalation in the city of Aden, the STC’s stronghold, where Alzubidi was reportedly still located. The STC’s advancement in the south has further strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two regional powers vying for influence in Yemen.
While the separatists expressed willingness for dialogue, they reported losing contact with their negotiation delegation positioned in Riyadh. They called on Saudi authorities to ensure the safety of their representatives.
Witnesses reported that over 15 airstrikes targeted Al-Dhale on Wednesday, resulting in at least four deaths, according to local hospital sources. The coalition’s spokesperson, Major General Turki al-Maliki, claimed that Alzubidi had fled to an undisclosed location after allegedly distributing weapons and ammunition among loyal forces in Aden. The coalition intended the strikes to thwart any attempts by Alzubidi to escalate the conflict into Dhale.
Alzubidi reportedly declined to participate in the Riyadh talks due to concerns that he would be pressured to dissolve the STC, which holds a pivotal role within the Presidential Leadership Council. In response to the growing violence, he emphasized that he was still operational in Aden and called for an end to the coalition’s airstrikes.
According to the Presidential Leadership Council, Alzubidi had committed “grave crimes” against civilians in southern Yemen, deepening the divide between the rival factions. The conflict has already resulted in over 100 casualties from the coalition’s airstrikes against separatist positions and ongoing ground clashes.
The political landscape in Yemen has long been characterized by competing loyalties, particularly after the rise of the Iran-backed Houthis in 2014. Although the Saudis and Emiratis initially united against the Houthis, their support has since diverged among local factions.
The coalition and allied groups have instructed STC Deputy Abdulrahman al-Mahrami, currently in Riyadh, to ensure security in Aden and prevent further hostilities. Security forces aligned with Mahrami have begun deploying within the city, including in key government precincts and the presidential palace.
Amid these escalating tensions, reports surfaced indicating that a Saudi-backed group was advancing towards Aden, raising alarms over the potential for renewed fighting in Yemen’s second-largest city. Just two days ago, the STC took precautionary measures by evacuating its headquarters and relocating the operations of their television station to an undisclosed location to avoid potential airstrikes.
Only last week, Alzubidi had proposed a two-year transition period leading to the establishment of a new political entity, termed “South Arabia,” further complicating the already intricate political dynamics in the region.
