Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Yemen Separatist Leader Flees with Emirati Help
A leader of a group in Yemen, called the Southern Transitional Council, left the country with the help of the United Arab Emirates.
He was supposed to go to Saudi Arabia for talks but didn't show up.
The Saudis say the UAE helped him escape, which has caused a big argument between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Both countries are part of a group trying to help the official government of Yemen fight against another group called the Houthis.
The situation in Yemen is very bad, with many people suffering.
The UAE has been supporting the separatists, but Saudi Arabia wants them to control the separatists.
The leader's escape has made the situation even more complicated.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have different ideas about what should happen in Yemen, and this is causing more problems.
The UAE wants to support the separatists, while Saudi Arabia wants to keep Yemen united and stop the separatists from taking over more areas.
This disagreement is making it harder to find a solution to the conflict in Yemen.
Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), fled Yemen by boat and aircraft with Emirati help.
He was supposed to attend crisis talks in Riyadh but did not show up, reportedly under threat.
The Saudi-led coalition accused the UAE of helping Zubaidi escape, escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The STC's advance in southern Yemen has caused a rift in the coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis.
The UAE has called for de-escalation in Yemen, while Saudi Arabia pressures the UAE to rein in the separatists and withdraw its remaining forces.
- Who
- Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE
- What
- Fled Yemen by boat and aircraft, reportedly with Emirati help, after failing to attend crisis talks in Riyadh
- When
- After failing to attend crisis talks in Riyadh on Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Where
- From Yemen to Mogadishu, then to a military airport in Abu Dhabi
- Why
- To avoid attending crisis talks in Riyadh, possibly under threat, and to escape the escalating conflict in southern Yemen
- Leader
- Aidarous al-Zubaidi
- Group
- Southern Transitional Council (STC)
- Location
- Yemen, Mogadishu, Abu Dhabi
- Involved Parties
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, STC, Hadramout Tribes Confederacy, National Shield Forces
- Conflict
- Yemen Civil War
- Humanitarian Crisis
- One of the world's worst
- UAE's Role
- Backing separatists, withdrew forces, arms deliveries to STC
- Saudi's Role
- Leading coalition, pressuring UAE, airstrikes on STC
- Presidential Leadership Council
- Weakened by internal rivalries, struggling to unify anti-Houthi factions
Sources
Yemen Separatist Leader Flees With Emirati Help, Saudi Coalition blamed
Saudi coalition says separatist leader fled Yemen with UAE help, advances in Aden
Why Yemen’s War Is Entering A New And Dangerous Phase And What Happens Next?
Who is Aidarous al-Zubaidi, Yemeni separatist facing treason charges, allegedly smuggled out of the country by UAE?
UAE-backed leader’s flight from Yemen pushes Saudi-led anti-Houthi coalition to the brink
Somalia says it is investigating Yemen separatist leader flight via Mogadishu
Explainer-What’s happening in Yemen, and why are Saudi Arabia and the UAE involved?
Saudi Arabia accuses UAE of smuggling separatist leader out of Yemen, tensions escalate
Yemen’s separatist group announces its dismantling after leader’s flight to UAE
Yemen’s southern separatists have disbanded, delegate to talks in Saudia Arabia says