Leader of UAE-backed separatist forces accused of treason by Yemen’s government Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Wed, 01/07/2026 - 08:25 Yemen’s ruling council moves against the separatist chief as violence and political tensions intensify across the country's south Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of the separatist Southern Transitional Council. (AFP) Off Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has dismissed Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of the UAE backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), accusing him of high treason amid mounting instability in the country’s south. In a decree issued on Wednesday, Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi said the body had voted to strip al-Zubaidi of his membership and refer him to the Prosecutor General. “The Presidential Leadership Council issued a decision today, Wednesday, to drop the membership of Aidarous al-Zubaidi in the Presidential Leadership Council for committing high treason and to refer him to the Prosecutor General,” the decree said, adding that prosecutors would open a formal investigation. The accusations levelled against al-Zubaidi include damaging Yemen’s political and military standing, forming an armed group, committing serious violations against civilians, killing officers and soldiers, and sabotaging military facilities. Al-Zubaidi leads the STC, which controls large parts of southern Yemen and forms a key pillar of the country’s fractured political landscape. The Presidential Leadership Council, a coalition of Yemeni factions, serves as Yemen’s internationally recognised governing authority. Tensions increase across Yemen In a statement, the STC rejected claims that its leader had disappeared, saying al-Zubaidi was in Aden and “continues his duties”, following speculation about his whereabouts. He had been expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks on Yemen’s future with the country’s president. Saudi Arabia’s coalition spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said coalition leaders instructed al-Zubaidi on 4 January, 2026, to travel to the kingdom within 48 hours to discuss escalating violence and attacks by STC forces in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra. Together, al-Mahra and Hadhramaut provinces account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and UAE bank on different military strengths in Yemen rivalry Read More » On 16 December, following weeks of escalating tensions in Yemen's eastern regions, STC claimed control over Hadhramaut and al-Mahra governorates as Saudi -backed forces withdrew from their military bases in Aden. Al-Maliki said al-Zubaidi informed Saudi officials he would arrive on 6 January, but when a Yemenia Airways flight eventually departed after a delay of more than three hours, it carried senior STC figures without him. He said al-Zubaidi fled to an unknown location, leaving his colleagues without information. During the same session, the leadership council dismissed Transport Minister Abdul Salam Hamid and Planning and International Cooperation Minister Waad Badhib, referring both for investigation. It also ordered the arrest of individuals accused of distributing weapons and threatening civil peace, vowing firm action to uphold the rule of law and protect public freedoms. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes on Wednesday in the southern governorate of Dhale. More than 15 strikes hit the area, with AFP quoting hospital sources as reporting several casualties. The STC condemned the bombardment. “While the Southern Transitional Council condemns these unjustified air strikes, it demands that the Saudi authorities immediately cease the aerial bombardment,” the group said, adding that al-Zubaidi “continues his duties from the capital, Aden”. Inside Yemen News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0