Aidarous al-Zubaidi Skips Riyadh Talks, Mobilizes Southern Transitional Council Forces in Aden

Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), missed a scheduled flight to Riyadh and was reported by his movement to be in Aden, prompting alarm and conflicting accounts across regional and international outlets.

“Conflicting accounts have emerged about the fate and whereabouts of Southern Transitional Council president Aidaroos al-Zubaidi amid rapidly escalating political and security tensions in southern Yemen”

Al-Jazeera Net

Modern Diplomacy said he disappeared Wednesday after skipping a flight to Riyadh that was meant for talks to resolve the southern crisis.

Al-Jazeera Net

The Jerusalem Post reported that the STC said Zubaidi was overseeing military and security operations in Aden and noted that Reuters could not independently verify his whereabouts.

The Straits Times likewise said he was reported to be in Aden on Jan 7 after missing the flight to Riyadh.

Al Jazeera described conflicting reports about his fate and whereabouts, underscoring uncertainty.

The BBC noted that the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) expelled Zubaidi after he failed to attend talks in Riyadh, highlighting the diplomatic fallout.

Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Saudi-aligned actors moved swiftly to punish or accuse Zubaidi, while the Southern Transitional Council described those steps as politically motivated.

Modern Diplomacy reported that the episode prompted Yemen's presidential council to strip Zubaidi of membership and refer him to prosecutors on charges including high treason and armed rebellion.

BBC

The BBC said the PLC expelled Aidarous al-Zubaidi and charged him with treason.

The Straits Times added that the PLC dismissed two ministers and ordered investigations and arrests over the distribution of arms, signaling formal institutional responses.

By contrast, Al Jazeera quoted STC leader Adel al-Tahish calling the PLC action politically motivated and extra-legal and warning it would not remove Zubaidi, and The Jerusalem Post relayed the STC's position without endorsing either side's claims.

Reports and government statements describe the mobilization of southern forces and clashes or strikes, while STC sources describe a managed redeployment.

“Tensions between Saudi-backed forces and Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) have intensified, further clouding the country's prospects for peace”

Devdiscourse

Modern Diplomacy cited Saudi coalition claims that intelligence showed Zubaidi had mobilized large forces and armed factions, raising fears of renewed fighting.

It warned the move could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis.

Modern Diplomacy also said civilians in southern Yemen remain at heightened risk.

The BBC reported the Saudi-led coalition said Zubaidi fled Aden, moved a large force toward al-Dhale province, and that coalition air strikes killed four people.

Al-Jazeera quoted Adel al-Tahish calling the situation a repositioning and redeployment and saying southern forces were now in charge.

The Straits Times noted Saudi-backed government forces were reported advancing on Aden.

The Jerusalem Post relayed the STC's claim that Zubaidi was overseeing military and security operations.

Observers say the episode has deepened the Saudi-UAE rift and complicated the anti-Houthi coalition's unity even as each outlet emphasizes different consequences.

Modern Diplomacy wrote the move "deepens a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE - whose proxy, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), has seized territory in the south - and prompted Yemen's presidential council to strip Zubaidi of membership," warning it "could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis."

Modern Diplomacy

The Straits Times said the episode "has deepened the public rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE and undermined hopes for a quick resolution to the southern crisis."

The BBC noted it has "pushed southern Yemen to the brink of renewed fighting... and [is] straining Saudi-UAE relations."

Al-Jazeera emphasized the STC's political resilience, quoting al-Tahish that the PLC action would not remove Zubaidi given his "broad popular mandate."

What happens next remains unclear as both sides claim different procedures and control over talks and forces.

“Yemen’s southern separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi has reportedly fled to an unknown location as tensions flare between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both former allies in the conflict”

PressTV

The BBC quoted an unnamed authority saying it has received no official information about the whereabouts or condition of Subaihi’s delegation in Riyadh, calling the lack of information 'serious' and demanding urgent clarification.

PressTV

Al-Jazeera said an STC delegation is handling talks and that al‑Zubaidi continues to perform his duties from an unspecified location.

The Straits Times and The Jerusalem Post said Reuters could not independently verify his location.

Modern Diplomacy warned the incident jeopardizes Riyadh-hosted negotiations, risks further clashes, and could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis, underscoring continued uncertainty and risks to civilians and to the talks.