STC chief dismissed from Yemen Presidential Council as tensions escalate

ADEN, Yemen –

Yemen’s Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council on Wednesday announced the dismissal of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), from the council and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason, state media reported. The move comes amid a rapidly escalating security and political crisis in southern Yemen.

The council’s statement, carried by the state news agency SABA, accused Zubaidi of inciting armed rebellion, attacking constitutional authorities and committing abuses against civilians in southern Yemen. He was also suspended from his official duties.

The dramatic developments unfolded hours after Zubaidi reportedly skipped a scheduled flight to Riyadh, where he was expected to participate in Saudi-mediated talks aimed at easing tensions in the south and preparing a broader South-South dialogue.

The Saudi-led coalition initially said Zubaidi “fled to an unknown location” after a Yemeni Airways flight carrying senior STC leaders departed without him following a three-hour delay.

Saudi coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said that during the delay, intelligence indicated Zubaidi had mobilised a significant force, including armoured vehicles, light and heavy weapons, from camps in Hadid and Sulban towards Al-Dhalea province. He added that the STC leader had allegedly distributed weapons to dozens of elements in Aden, aiming to provoke unrest.

“The vice president of the STC, Abdulrahman al-Mahrami, known as Abu Zara’a, has been tasked with ensuring security, preventing clashes and protecting civilians and property in Aden,” Maliki said.

In a statement on social media, an STC official denied reports that Zubaidi had fled, asserting that he remained in Aden overseeing military and political operations. The official accused the Saudi-led coalition of carrying out airstrikes on Al-Dhalea province and urged de-escalation and dialogue.

Last month, STC forces seized large areas in the south, prompting tensions with Riyadh, which viewed the move as a threat to its security.

The Presidential Leadership Council also announced the dismissal of Transport Minister Abdul Salam Humaid and Planning Minister Waed Badhib and ordered an investigation into those responsible for distributing weapons that threatened civil peace.

Zubaidi’s deputy, Abu Zara’a, met the Saudi defence minister in Riyadh on January 5, signalling a warming of ties between the STC’s executive leadership and Riyadh. The status of the South-South dialogue and reconciliation talks in Saudi Arabia remains unclear.

Earlier, the Saudi coalition carried out limited pre-emptive airstrikes in Al-Dhalea province after monitoring the movement of armed forces leaving their camps. Local sources and STC officials reported more than 15 strikes in the region.

The events mark a sharp escalation in southern Yemen, where the STC and Saudi-backed government forces are locked in a delicate power struggle. Analysts say the confrontation threatens to deepen divisions among Gulf powers, as the UAE calls for de-escalation while Saudi Arabia moves to assert control over the south.

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sana’a. Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened the following year to support the internationally-recognised government.