By HAN News Desk
SANA -Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Dismisses Southern Transitional Council Chief Amid Reports of Flight Toward Somalia
By HAN News Desk
ADEN — Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council on Wednesday announced the dismissal of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and referred a criminal case against him to the country’s public prosecutor, in a dramatic escalation of political tensions in the country’s south.
The decision came shortly after the Saudi Arabia–led military coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government issued a statement confirming that al-Zubaidi had secretly fled the southern port city of Aden. His sudden disappearance raised serious questions among Yemeni authorities and coalition partners about his whereabouts and intentions.
Arab media outlets reported that al-Zubaidi left Aden aboard a high-speed boat, traveling through the waters of the Gulf of Aden and heading toward the Somali coastline. While Yemeni officials have not publicly confirmed his destination, multiple reports suggest he may be seeking refuge or a safe corridor inside Somalia to evade mounting pressure from the Arab coalition and the Yemeni government.
No official statement has yet been issued by Somali authorities regarding the reports that al-Zubaidi may have entered or intends to enter Somali territory. Regional observers say the situation is being closely monitored, given the sensitivity of security and political dynamics along the strategic maritime corridor linking Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
Al-Zubaidi leads the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, which has long sought secession for southern Yemen and has repeatedly clashed with forces loyal to the central government. His removal underscores a deepening rift within the anti-Houthi alliance and highlights growing fractures among political and military actors in southern Yemen.
Analysts say the move signals a significant breakdown in coordination between Yemen’s leadership and southern factions, potentially reshaping the balance of power in Aden and surrounding areas. The developments also raise concerns about broader regional security, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.
As investigations proceed, uncertainty remains over al-Zubaidi’s fate and the potential repercussions for Yemen’s fragile political landscape and regional stability.
