Aden: A fresh political crisis is unfolding in Yemen after the Saudi led coalition said southern separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi boarded a vessel bound for Somaliland, raising questions about his whereabouts and his role in stalled peace efforts.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the coalition said Zubaidi left southern Yemen by sea and later flew on to Somalia, with indications that he may have continued onward to the United Arab Emirates. The coalition accused him of avoiding talks in Riyadh aimed at easing growing tensions in the south.
Zubaidi heads the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates and has long sought autonomy or independence for southern Yemen. The group has clashed repeatedly with the internationally recognised government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia.
The STC denied the coalition’s claims, saying Zubaidi remains in Aden and continues to carry out his duties. The group described reports of his departure as politically motivated and rejected accusations that he was attempting to undermine unity among anti Houthi forces.
The dispute has added strain to relations within the Saudi led alliance and exposed divisions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over Yemen’s future. In recent days, Saudi backed forces have reportedly taken action against STC positions in parts of the south, heightening fears of a wider internal conflict.
The situation has also been complicated by reports that contact was lost with an STC delegation that had travelled to Riyadh for talks, further clouding prospects for dialogue.
Yemen has been at war for more than a decade, with the conflict fragmenting the country into rival zones of control. Analysts warn that renewed fighting in the south could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and derail fragile efforts to stabilise the country.
For now, uncertainty over Zubaidi’s location and status reflects the deeper political fractures threatening Yemen’s uneasy balance in the midst of a long running war.