Yemen's STC Leader Al-Zubaidi Reportedly Flees Amid Rising Tensions

Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), has reportedly fled to an unknown location, according to a statement from the Saudi-led coalition. Al-Zubaidi was scheduled to travel to Riyadh for peace talks but failed to board the flight. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki stated that intelligence indicated al-Zubaidi had mobilized a large force, including armored vehicles and weapons, before his disappearance.

In response, the coalition conducted limited preemptive airstrikes targeting STC positions in Yemen's southern province of al-Dhalea. The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) subsequently removed al-Zubaidi from his position and referred him to the prosecutor general on charges of high treason.

The STC, backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been in conflict with Yemen's internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia. This development further strains the coalition originally formed to combat the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.