STC Leader al-Zubaidi Flees to Aden

 The removal of Aidarous al-Zubaidi marks a sharp escalation in Yemen’s long-running internal power struggle, pitting the internationally recognized government against the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). On Tuesday, the chairman of Yemen’s executive authority announced that al-Zubaidi had been dismissed from government for “committing high treason,” a charge that immediately raised the stakes ahead of a planned Saudi-hosted conference in Riyadh. The move underscores how fragile Yemen’s power-sharing arrangements remain, even as external actors push for political stabilization.

Saudi Arabia’s coalition said al-Zubaidi was scheduled to board a plane to Riyadh on Tuesday evening but failed to appear, instead “fled to an unknown location.” The allegation came hours before talks intended to address Yemen’s political and military trajectory, highlighting the degree to which leadership disputes continue to undermine diplomatic efforts.

“Escalating the Conflict”

The Saudi-led coalition coupled the political decision with military action. It announced airstrikes in Yemen’s southern Dhale governorate, saying the attacks targeted STC-affiliated forces and were aimed at preventing al-Zubaidi from “escalating the conflict.” Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said the strikes were conducted “to prevent attempts to escalate the conflict,” linking them directly to intelligence warnings received overnight.

Al-Maliki stated that Yemeni government and coalition intelligence had identified preparations by al-Zubaidi–aligned units for a large-scale military movement. According to the coalition, the forces were equipped with armored and combat vehicles, as well as heavy and light weapons, and departed Aden during the night before being detected in Dhale. The timing and scale of the alleged movement were cited as justification for immediate air operations.

STC Pushback and Conflicting Claims

The STC swiftly rejected the coalition’s narrative. In a statement, the council said al-Zubaidi remained in Aden and “continues to carry out his duties,” directly contradicting claims that he had fled. This divergence in accounts reflects the information warfare that often accompanies Yemen’s military confrontations, with competing authorities seeking to shape domestic and regional perceptions.

The episode unfolded against the backdrop of expanding STC territorial ambitions. STC-aligned forces, backed by the United Arab Emirates, had taken control in early December 2025 of Hadramawt and Mahra—two governorates that together account for roughly half of Yemen’s land area. Despite local, regional, and international calls for withdrawal, the STC refused to pull back, prompting counter-operations supported by the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy. Control was later reasserted in both provinces.

Riyadh Talks Under Pressure

The crisis adds further strain to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to convene Yemeni factions in Riyadh. Al-Maliki said al-Zubaidi would face prosecution on charges of treason, reinforcing the government’s intent to pursue legal as well as military measures. The coalition framed its actions as defensive, aimed at stabilizing the situation ahead of political talks rather than widening the conflict.

Yet the combination of leadership dismissal, airstrikes, and disputed narratives illustrates the limits of external mediation. With Aden, Dhale, Hadramawt, and Mahra all featuring in recent confrontations, Yemen’s southern theater remains volatile. The events of Tuesday demonstrate how quickly political disputes can translate into kinetic action, complicating any near-term effort to align Yemen’s fractured authorities.

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