Saudi-led coalition strikes as southern separatist leader goes into hiding

Wednesday 07 January 2026 - 09:00

By: Sahili Aya

Saudi-led coalition strikes as southern separatist leader goes into hiding

The Saudi-led coalition carried out a series of air strikes on Wednesday in southern Yemen, targeting areas linked to the leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), who is reportedly in hiding following his removal from office and accusations of treason.

According to local officials, more than fifteen strikes hit the province of Dhale, a stronghold of the separatist movement. The operation coincided with planned talks in Riyadh aimed at easing tensions between rival factions within Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Hospital sources reported that at least four civilians were killed during the bombardment.

The coalition stated that the attacks were “limited preventive strikes” intended to stop what it described as an attempt by separatist forces to widen the conflict. It also claimed that STC leader Aidarous al-Zoubaidi failed to attend scheduled negotiations in Saudi Arabia after fleeing to an undisclosed location.

The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the United Arab Emirates, advocates the restoration of an independent southern Yemeni state, which existed prior to unification in 1990. In recent weeks, STC forces had taken control of several strategic areas, prompting counteroffensives by pro-government troops supported by Saudi air power.

Later in the day, Yemen’s presidential leadership announced the dismissal of al-Zoubaidi on charges of high treason, ordering legal proceedings against him for alleged constitutional violations and armed actions.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014, when Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa. The war expanded regionally the following year with the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition. Ongoing divisions among anti-Houthi factions continue to complicate efforts to stabilize the country.