The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has alleged the United Arab Emirates helped smuggle a separatist leader out of the country after he was expelled from Yemen's presidential council and accused of treason.
A coalition spokesman stated that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), fled Aden on Tuesday night in a boat to Somaliland. He was then transported by cargo aircraft to Abu Dhabi via Mogadishu under the supervision of UAE officers.
No immediate comments were provided from the UAE or STC. Meanwhile, the STC claimed Zubaidi was still operating from Aden on Wednesday, despite the coalition's assertion that he had fled after failing to fly to Riyadh for discussions.
The coalition also accused Zubaidi of relocating STC forces to his home province, prompting air strikes in response, which reportedly killed four people. In retaliation, the STC deemed the air strikes unjustified and inconsistent with calls for dialogue.
Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, a coalition spokesman, claimed they had reliable intelligence indicating Zubaidi and associates escaped from Aden's port on a passenger ship and were later flown to an undisclosed location.
Recent developments in southern Yemen have escalated tensions as various factions vie against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, deepening a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. STC forces are pressing for autonomy, making significant territorial gains in the region.
Despite UAE's previous assurances, Saudi Arabia expressed concern over STC advances and called for the withdrawal of Emirati forces, alleging that the UAE was bolstering separatist efforts at its border.
