UAE Allegedly Helped STC Leader Flee Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of assisting Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), in fleeing Yemen following his expulsion from the presidential council and allegations of treason.

According to the coalition, Zubaidi escaped Aden by boat late Tuesday night and was transported via a cargo aircraft to Abu Dhabi after stopping in Mogadishu, Somalia, under the supervision of UAE officers.

Neither the UAE nor the STC immediately commented on the allegations, and the STC insisted Zubaidi remained operational in Aden, contradicting the coalition’s claim.

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Conflict Between STC and Presidential Council Forces

The Saudi-led coalition also accused Zubaidi of relocating STC forces from Aden to al-Dahle, prompting coalition air strikes that reportedly killed four people. The STC denounced the strikes as “unjustified” and inconsistent with calls for dialogue with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The incident underscores the growing tensions between Saudi- and UAE-backed factions in southern Yemen, highlighting deep divisions despite their shared opposition to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement over the past decade.

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Zubaidi’s Escape Route and Coalition Claims

Coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki al-Malki said intelligence indicated Zubaidi fled Aden on a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged ship, which sailed across the Gulf of Aden to Berbera in Somaliland. From there, a Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft transported Zubaidi and associates first to Mogadishu before heading toward Abu Dhabi.

Malki stated the aircraft disabled its identification systems over the Gulf of Oman, reactivating them only shortly before landing at Al-Reef Military Air Base in Abu Dhabi. Somalia’s immigration authorities said they are investigating an “alleged unauthorized use” of its airspace and airports.

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Background: Southern Transitional Council in Yemen

The STC has controlled much of southern Yemen in recent years, advocating for independence from the central government. The group has gradually pushed out forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government, including in key cities such as Aden.

Saudi Arabia has warned that STC advances near its borders threaten both its national security and the stability of Yemen. The kingdom has also accused the UAE of pressuring its separatist allies to expand into eastern Yemen.

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UAE Military Withdrawal and Saudi-Led Coalition Actions

In response to the escalating tensions, the UAE agreed to withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen while denying it supplied weapons to the STC. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition struck what it described as a shipment of weapons and military vehicles for the STC, which had allegedly originated from the UAE.

With coalition air support, government-loyal forces have regained control over key provinces including Hadramawt and al-Mahra, and observers report that Aden is increasingly coming under Saudi-backed control.

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Implications for Yemen’s Stability

The alleged UAE-facilitated escape of Zubaidi highlights the fragility of southern Yemen, where rival factions backed by regional powers continue to clash. Analysts warn that ongoing infighting between the STC and the Yemeni government risks destabilizing southern Yemen further, undermining reconstruction efforts and prolonging humanitarian suffering.

The situation also reflects broader regional rivalries, particularly between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have historically cooperated against the Houthis but are now in conflict over influence in southern Yemen.