Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Yemen's STC leader al-Zubaidi flees to unknown destination
The leader of a group in Yemen called the Southern Transitional Council, named Aidarous al-Zubaidi, was supposed to go to Saudi Arabia for a meeting.
But instead of getting on the plane, he went to a secret place.
The Saudi-backed group in Yemen said this happened while there were fights between different groups in Yemen.
They also said they did some small air attacks to stop more fighting.
There are different groups in Yemen, and some countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are involved in helping these groups.
The main fight is between the internationally recognized government and the Houthis, who control the capital.
Al-Zubaidi wants the southern part of Yemen to be independent and has been fighting for this for a long time.
The situation is very complicated and has been going on for more than 10 years, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), did not board a plane to Riyadh and fled to an unknown destination.
The Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen reported this and conducted limited pre-emptive airstrikes in al-Dhalea province.
Zubaidi was set to travel to Saudi Arabia days after Yemen’s government requested Riyadh to host a forum on the southern issue.
The situation arises amid fighting between the STC and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and a feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The Houthis, who seized the Yemeni capital in 2014, remain the dominant military force in Yemen.
- Who
- Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC)
- What
- Al-Zubaidi fled to an unknown destination instead of boarding a plane to Riyadh
- When
- January 7, 2024
- Where
- Yemen, with intended travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Why
- Amid efforts to end fighting between the STC and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and a feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Southern Transitional Council (STC)
Saudi-backed Yemeni government
Independence for Southern Yemen
Southern Transitional Council (STC)
Supports independence for Southern Yemen and has called for a referendum on the issue.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government
Opposes secession and maintains the unity of Yemen.
Military Escalation
Southern Transitional Council (STC)
STC forces seized territory, shifting the balance of power and putting Saudi Arabia and the UAE on opposite sides.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government
Saudi-backed forces are advancing towards Aden to counter STC advances.
- Leader
- Aidarous al-Zubaidi
- Organization
- Southern Transitional Council (STC)
- Destination
- Unknown
- Intended Travel
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Conflict Parties
- STC, Saudi-backed government, UAE, Houthis
- Airstrikes Location
- Al-Dhalea province, Yemen
- Conflict Trigger
- Southern issue forum request
- Reporting Source
- Reuters
Sources
Yemen’s STC leader al-Zubaidi flees, Saudi-backed coalition says
Yemen’s STC leader al-Zubaidi fled to unknown destination, Saudi-backed coalition says
Saudi-led coalition launches strikes in Yemen, says separatist leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi ‘fled to unknown location’
Yemen separatist leader flees, avoids Riyadh talks to tackle southern crisis
Yemen Separatist Leader al-Zubaidi Flees Country After Saudi-Led Airstrikes
Fate of Yemen separatist leader deepens southern crisis as Saudi-UAE tensions linger
Yemen separatist leader fails to attend crisis talks as Saudi-UAE rift deepens
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Saudi-led coalition says Yemen separatist leader arrives in Abu Dhabi