Aden: Saudi Arabia has accused the leader of Yemen’s southern separatist movement of blocking an official delegation from landing in the southern port city of Aden, exposing growing divisions within the camp opposing the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Yemen said a plane carrying a Saudi led delegation was prevented from landing in Aden earlier this month. According to the envoy, the decision was taken by the head of the Southern Transitional Council, a group that controls large parts of southern Yemen and is backed by the United Arab Emirates.
The incident has added to tensions between Saudi Arabia, the internationally recognised Yemeni government, and the Southern Transitional Council. All sides are officially aligned against the Houthi movement, which controls much of northern Yemen, but their political goals increasingly differ.
The Southern Transitional Council has been pushing openly for the independence of southern Yemen. In recent days, the group has announced plans to hold a referendum on independence within the next two years and has also spoken about drafting a constitution for a future southern state.
Saudi officials say such steps threaten Yemen’s unity and complicate efforts to stabilise the country after years of war. Riyadh has been trying to bring different Yemeni factions together through dialogue and has proposed talks aimed at resolving disputes among southern groups.
Aden remains a key flashpoint. Control of the city and its airport is vital for political legitimacy and access to international support. Flights in and out of Aden have faced repeated disruptions, with rival sides blaming each other.
The dispute also reflects wider regional strains. While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were once close allies in Yemen, their priorities have diverged. The UAE has reduced its military presence but continues to back southern forces, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s recognised government and seeks a negotiated political settlement.
Analysts warn that infighting among anti Houthi forces could deepen Yemen’s crisis and delay any lasting peace, as competing visions for the country’s future pull it further apart.