In a dramatic turn of events, Saudi-backed forces have initiated efforts to seize control of a crucial city in southern Yemen amid escalating tensions with the UAE. This conflict intensified after Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of assisting a prominent separatist leader's escape.
According to information from the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen, reliable intelligence indicated that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who heads the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC), clandestinely left Yemen by boat under the cover of darkness. He reportedly traveled to Somaliland before boarding a plane to Mogadishu, which later took him to a military airport in Abu Dhabi.
CNN has reached out to the UAE foreign ministry for their response to these allegations.
The interior ministry of the Yemeni government, which is allied with Saudi Arabia, issued a statement asserting that the National Shield Forces (NSF), who support the government, have "secured" the southern city of Aden and affirmed that the security situation there is now "under control." To underscore their claims, the NSF shared a video on social media showcasing a large convoy of military vehicles mobilizing to regain control over several provinces that had previously fallen under the STC and its allied militias. However, it's important to note that CNN cannot independently verify these assertions.
Aden has served as the operational base for Yemen’s government since the Iran-backed Houthi movement took over the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. This takeover prompted a military intervention led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE the following year. Recently, government officials stationed in Aden fled to Riyadh when southern forces, commanded by Al Zubaidi, launched an aggressive military campaign aimed at dominating the area.
Over the last decade, the strategic interests of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Yemen have diverged significantly, leading them to back opposing factions within the country. Most notably, the UAE’s support for southern separatists stands in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s aim for a unified and stable Yemen that borders its territory. Although the UAE withdrew the majority of its troops from Yemen in 2019, a small contingent labeled as counter-terrorism forces remained active.
The recent advance of STC forces across significant southern Yemeni provinces in early December sparked outrage in Riyadh and resulted in an unprecedented public spat with the UAE. This conflict escalated to the point where Saudi airstrikes targeted UAE shipments, and the Yemeni government called for the remaining UAE forces to exit the country within 24 hours, a request that Saudi Arabia supported.
Following the withdrawal of UAE troops, Yemeni government forces, bolstered by Saudi air support, initiated a counteroffensive that pushed the separatists back toward their stronghold in Aden. Under mounting military pressure, leadership from the STC agreed to engage in talks in Riyadh aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
On Wednesday, the Saudi-led coalition announced that al-Zubaidi was expected to join the STC delegation. Instead, he reportedly mobilized a substantial military presence, contributing to increased chaos and unrest in the region.
In the wake of these developments, Yemen’s internationally recognized government accused al-Zubaidi of "high treason" due to his alleged role in inciting internal conflict.
An official from the STC’s foreign affairs division, Amr Al-Bidh, revealed during a briefing on Tuesday that over fifty STC officials had lost communication after arriving in Riyadh. A photo posted on X by the Saudi ambassador to Yemen depicted a meeting with these officials in the capital, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Al-Bidh stated, "The message from Saudi Arabia was clear: either you come to the table, or you will be treated as an enemy, making this your final opportunity to negotiate."
CNN has also reached out to the Saudi government for their comments on this unfolding situation.
