Saudi Coalition Alleges UAE Aided Separatist Leader’s Escape

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of assisting in the escape of separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi. Al-Zubaidi, who heads the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC), reportedly fled from Aden after being expelled from Yemen’s presidential council and facing allegations of treason. According to a coalition spokesperson, he left Aden on a boat heading to Somaliland before being transported to Abu Dhabi.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki stated that al-Zubaidi departed from Aden’s port in the early hours of Wednesday on a passenger vessel flagged from St Kitts and Nevis. The ship made its way across the Gulf of Aden to Berbera, Somaliland, where an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft awaited him. Al-Malki claimed that al-Zubaidi and his associates boarded the aircraft under the supervision of UAE officers, first flying to Mogadishu before heading towards the Arabian Sea, although the final destination remained unspecified.

The STC has contested the coalition’s claims, asserting that al-Zubaidi was still operating from Aden. They denied allegations of fleeing and stated that he had not traveled to Riyadh for discussions, as suggested by the coalition. Furthermore, the STC criticized coalition airstrikes on their forces, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of four individuals, labeling the attacks as “unjustified” and counterproductive to dialogue efforts with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Tensions are escalating in southern Yemen, where factions are increasingly at odds with one another. The coalition has expressed concerns that the STC’s moves threaten both Saudi Arabia’s national security and the stability of Yemen. The coalition also accused the UAE of exerting pressure on their separatist allies to advance into eastern Yemen and has supported demands from the presidential council for the withdrawal of Emirati forces.

In response to the allegations, the UAE expressed “deep regret” but denied any involvement in smuggling arms. They have agreed to withdraw their remaining forces from Yemen as part of an effort to de-escalate the situation. Meanwhile, pro-government forces have regained control of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, aided by coalition airstrikes.

As the situation continues to unfold, the coalition remains vigilant. They have reported intercepting a shipment of weapons and military vehicles intended for the STC, allegedly arriving from the UAE. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, now in its tenth year, highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries shaping the region’s security landscape.