Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) took a decisive step on Wednesday by expelling the leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Officials charged Aidarous Al-Zubaidi with high treason after he reportedly refused to travel to Saudi Arabia for critical diplomatic talks.
The official SABA news agency released the PLC’s statement, which marks a significant escalation between Saudi-backed forces and the separatist movement, which further complicates the political landscape of Yemen, a nation already struggling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Consequently, the current whereabouts of Al-Zubaidi remain unknown to the public and military intelligence.
SABA accused the STC leader of “damaging the republic’s military, political and economic standing,” while also citing his role in “forming an armed gang and committing the murder of officers and soldiers of the armed forces.”
Intelligence Reports and Military Movements
While the STC has not yet commented, the PLC continues to assert its authority as the internationally recognized governing body. Tensions peaked in December following STC advances into the Hadramout and Mahra governorates, areas previously secured by Saudi-backed units.
Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, confirmed that Al-Zubaidi failed to board a scheduled flight to Riyadh. Furthermore, Al-Malki revealed that “the legitimate government and the coalition received intelligence indicating that Al-Zubaidi had moved a large force —including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition.” Following these maneuvers, the spokesperson noted that Al-Zubaidi “fled to an unknown location.”
Regional Implications
In response to these provocations, Saudi Arabia recently targeted STC positions and intercepted shipments of unauthorized weaponry. Following sustained diplomatic pressure and an ultimatum from the anti-Houthi forces, the UAE announced the withdrawal of its military personnel.
Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE share the primary goal of defeating Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, these internal divisions present new challenges. The ongoing war has already claimed over 150,000 lives and continues to threaten global shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Therefore, the PLC’s decision to purge separatist elements reflects a firm commitment to restoring unified national stability.
