The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has alleged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) assisted in the smuggling of separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi out of the country. Following his expulsion from Yemen's presidential council and subsequent accusations of treason, Zubaidi allegedly fled from Aden, traveling by boat to Somaliland on Tuesday night.
According to coalition spokesperson Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, Zubaidi was then transferred via a cargo plane from Berbera to Abu Dhabi under UAE oversight. While the Southern Transitional Council (STC)—which Zubaidi heads—maintained that he remained in Aden, conflict escalations have prompted a renewed scrutiny of UAE's involvement in Yemen.
The coalition has accused Zubaidi of relocating STC forces and responded with airstrikes, claiming the operations are critical for maintaining regional stability. The STC described these attacks as unjustified and contradictory to calls for dialogue.
Furthermore, recent events have strained relations between Saudi Arabia and its Emirati ally, who have supported rival factions in Yemen's protracted civil war. Amid these tensions, Saudi Arabia expressed concerns about threats to its national security stemming from STC advancements near its border.
The situation is fluid, and the geopolitical implications of these movements underscore the complex and contentious dynamics at play in Yemen's ongoing conflict. As military actions and political maneuvering unfold, the prospects for a unified resolution to the quiet crisis remain uncertain.
