The enigmatic leader of Yemen’s southern separatists, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, deliberately absconded from a flight bound for Riyadh, precipitating a maelstrom of uncertainty amidst a burgeoning crisis that has spawned a vitriolic feud between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) asserted that Zubaidi remained in Aden, meticulously overseeing military and security operations, as the organization struggled to establish contact with its delegation in Riyadh.
The precipitous turn of events has dashed hopes for a swift resolution to the recent turmoil in Yemen’s south, laying bare a profound rift between the Gulf powers. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, erstwhile allies of the United States, have long diverged on geopolitical issues, including energy policy.
UAE Foreign Policy Across Middle East and Africa
The UAE has pursued an assertive foreign policy, deftly carving its own sphere of influence across the Middle East and Africa, leveraging alliances with states or proxies and financial support to counter the perceived destabilizing threat of political Islam.
Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson of the Saudi-backed coalition, publicly flagged Zubaidi’s disappearance, alleging that a flight carrying senior STC leaders departed without him, and accusing Zubaidi of distributing arms and ammunition to foment unrest in Aden.
The Saudi-backed presidential council subsequently stripped Zubaidi of his membership and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason, citing his alleged incitement of armed rebellion and abuses against civilians in southern Yemen.
Zubaidi’s deputy, Abu Zara’a, met with the Saudi defence minister in Riyadh, ostensibly indicating a thaw in relations with the Saudis. Concurrently, the Saudi coalition launched limited pre-emptive airstrikes in al-Dhalea, Zubaidi’s birthplace, following intelligence on armed forces movements.
Local sources reported over 15 strikes in the province, prompting the STC to implore Saudi authorities to cease air strikes and guarantee the delegation’s safety.
Houthis Rebels Seized Yemen Capital in 2014
The feud between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has fractured a coalition originally forged to combat the Iran-aligned Houthis, who seized the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in 2014, prompting Gulf countries to intervene the following year.
The UAE joined a Saudi-backed coalition in support of the internationally recognized government, while the STC, established in 2017 with UAE backing, ultimately joined the government coalition.
The UAE’s withdrawal of forces from Yemen, ostensibly under pressure from Saudi Arabia, has done little to assuage tensions, with the UAE calling for de-escalation in Yemen.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with the Saudi-led coalition advancing towards Aden, while the fate of the STC delegation in Riyadh hangs precariously in the balance.
The US has lauded Saudi-Emirati efforts to end the crisis, while the STC has expressed profound concern about the dearth of official information on the delegation’s whereabouts.
Zubaidi, the enigmatic leader, remains in Aden, steadfastly overseeing military and security operations, as the region teeters on the precipice of chaos.
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