Yemen stood at a crossroads on Wednesday after the Saudi-led coalition announced new strikes on positions linked to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) near Aden, alongside the sudden political sidelining of its powerful leader.
The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body.
The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently taken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict.
In a statement, coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al Malki said Mr Al Zubaidi had been asked to travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to discuss “the reasons behind the escalation and attacks by forces affiliated with the STC”.
However, Mr Al Zubaidi failed to board a flight carrying a large number of STC leaders on Tuesday and instead “fled to an unknown location”, accusing him of distributing weapons and ammunition to fighters and mobilising forces near Aden.
“At 4am, coalition forces carried out limited pre-emptive strikes to disrupt these forces and thwart Al Zubaidi’s attempts to escalate the conflict and extend it into Al Dhale” near Aden, the spokesman announced.
He warned of further escalation, urging civilians to stay away from military camps in Aden and Al Dhale, avoid gatherings of military vehicles, and report "suspicious movements" to security authorities.
Funeral prayer for fighters killed in recent clashes in southern Yemen. Photo: STC
The STC later issued a statement saying that Mr Al Zubaidi was operating from Aden and overseeing military, security, and civilian affairs.
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