The leader of Yemen’s southern separatist movement fled to an unknown destination on Wednesday (Jan 7), skipping a planned flight to Riyadh for talks aimed at resolving a deepening crisis in the country’s south that has strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The sudden disappearance of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has dashed hopes for a swift diplomatic breakthrough after weeks of fighting that exposed sharp divisions within the Saudi- and Emirati-backed coalition battling Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement in a civil war now in its second decade.
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition, confirmed Zubaidi’s disappearance in a statement, saying a flight carrying senior STC officials departed after a delay of more than three hours — without the separatist leader on board.
“There is no information on his whereabouts,” Maliki said, adding that during the delay, intelligence indicated Zubaidi had overseen the movement of large armed forces. He cited calls for mobilisation and the arming of factions with light and medium weapons, raising concerns of further escalation in southern Yemen.
The STC did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Zubaidi’s location or the coalition’s accusations.
Zubaidi had been expected to travel to Saudi Arabia days after Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it had requested Riyadh to host talks on the future of the south, an issue that has long divided Yemen politically and militarily. His disappearance has now cast doubt over whether the dialogue will proceed.
In a further escalation, Yemen’s Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council stripped Zubaidi of his membership and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason, according to the state news agency SABA. A decree issued by council chairman Rashad al-Alimi accused Zubaidi of inciting armed rebellion, attacking constitutional institutions and committing abuses against civilians in southern provinces.
The developments come amid renewed fighting that erupted last month between STC forces, backed by the UAE, and troops loyal to the internationally recognised government, which relies heavily on Saudi support. The clashes shattered a fragile balance of power in the south, where the STC has for years been part of the governing coalition while simultaneously advocating for southern independence.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE first intervened in Yemen more than a decade ago after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The following year, the UAE joined a Saudi-led coalition to restore the government. The STC was formed in 2017 with Emirati backing and later incorporated into the government framework controlling much of southern and eastern Yemen.
However, last month STC forces launched a rapid territorial takeover, alarming Saudi Arabia, which views instability near its southern border as a direct threat to national security. The offensive intensified tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, culminating in the UAE withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen under Saudi pressure, according to regional sources.
On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition said it conducted limited pre-emptive airstrikes in the southern province of al-Dhalea, Zubaidi’s birthplace, after detecting armed units leaving their camps. Domestic sources and STC-linked officials reported more than 15 strikes across the province.
With Zubaidi’s whereabouts unknown and diplomatic channels now uncertain, analysts warn that Yemen’s southern turmoil risks further fracturing the anti-Houthi alliance, complicating efforts to end one of the Middle East’s most protracted and devastating conflicts.
