Coalition Reports STC’s al-Zubaidi Departed to UAE via Somaliland

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen announced that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled to the UAE.
He reportedly traveled via Somaliland after skipping scheduled peace talks in Riyadh.

In a statement on Thursday, the coalition said al-Zubaidi left Aden late Wednesday night.
He boarded a vessel that sailed from Yemen to the port of Berbera in Somaliland.

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The coalition stated that al-Zubaidi later boarded a plane with UAE officers.
The aircraft flew to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, before heading toward Abu Dhabi.
According to the statement, the plane briefly turned off its identification systems over the Gulf of Oman.
It reportedly reactivated them shortly before landing at Al Reef military airport in Abu Dhabi.

Neither the STC nor the United Arab Emirates issued an immediate response.

If confirmed, the move could further strain relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Tensions rose after the UAE-backed STC attacked Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces in December.

Claims of nighttime escape emerge as fighting intensifies in southern Yemen

The STC initially supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government against Houthi rebels.
However, the group now seeks an independent state in southern Yemen.

STC forces seized Hadramout and Mahra provinces near the Saudi border.
Riyadh described the move as a threat to its national security.

The coalition responded with air strikes on the Yemeni port of Mukalla on December 30.
It said the strikes targeted a UAE-linked weapons shipment.

Abu Dhabi denied the claim and reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security.
It also announced the end of its self-described counterterrorism mission in Yemen.

Yemeni government forces later reclaimed Hadramout and Mahra with Saudi air support.
The STC then announced plans to attend Saudi-hosted peace talks.

However, the coalition said al-Zubaidi did not board the flight carrying the STC delegation.
Coalition forces later launched strikes against STC positions in Dhale governorate.

Yemeni government troops advanced into Aden and seized the presidential palace.
President Rashad al-Alimi removed al-Zubaidi from the Presidential Leadership Council.
Al-Alimi accused him of committing high treason and ordered a legal investigation.

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