Southern Yemen Transitional Council Leader Flees Amid Escalating Saudi Airstrikes
As clashes intensify between forces loyal to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in southern Yemen, reports indicate that Aidarus al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council, fled to an unknown location following extensive Saudi airstrikes on the council’s positions.
Local sources stated that Saudi warplanes targeted the “Al-Zand” camp affiliated with the Transitional Council in the Zubaid area of the Dhale governorate. These strikes occurred as tensions between the former allies Riyadh and Abu Dhabi reached a peak in southern Yemen.
Al Mayadeen news network, citing the Saudi-led coalition, reported that al-Zubaidi abandoned other Transitional Council leaders on a plane authorized to fly to Riyadh as he left the area. The coalition spokesperson confirmed the leader’s flight without providing further details.
In response to these developments, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council aligned with Saudi Arabia, announced that Aidarus al-Zubaidi has been removed from the council’s leadership and that his case has been referred to the public prosecutor on charges of “major treason.” According to al-Alimi, these accusations include forming armed groups and involvement in the killing of military officers and soldiers.
Local sources also reported more than six Saudi airstrikes targeting convoys carrying weapons and military equipment moved from Aden. These attacks reportedly caused massive explosions in the city of Dhale.
A spokesperson for the Yemen war coalition stated that forces loyal to al-Zubaidi transferred heavy and light weapons, along with a significant amount of ammunition, from the Hadid and Sulban military camps toward Dhale. He said today’s early morning airstrikes aimed to prevent the spread of the conflict.
According to Al Mayadeen, these attacks resulted in dozens of casualties. Coalition forces urged residents in the conflict zones to avoid approaching military camps and any gatherings of vehicles and military equipment in Aden and Dhale to protect their lives.
