20 hours ago
Last Updated:January 08, 2026, 16:36 IST
Saudi Arabia accuses the UAE of smuggling Aidarous al-Zubaidi, STC leader wanted for treason, deepening tensions over Yemen and exposing rifts in their Gulf alliance.
A file photo of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi. (STC)
Saudi Arabia on Thursday accused the United Arab Emirates of secretly smuggling a Yemeni separatist leader wanted for treason out of the country, deepening an escalating rift between the two Gulf allies over the war in Yemen.
In a military statement, Saudi authorities alleged that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), fled Yemen by boat to Somalia before being flown to Abu Dhabi by Emirati officials. Riyadh said al-Zubaidi is wanted on charges of treason.
The UAE did not immediately respond to the allegation.
The accusation marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose alliance in Yemen has been under strain for months. While both countries intervened together in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government against Houthi rebels, their objectives have increasingly diverged, particularly in southern Yemen.
The UAE has been the principal backer of the STC, which seeks independence for southern Yemen. In recent days, STC fighters advanced in two Yemeni governorates, moves that Saudi officials say appeared aimed at secession and directly undermined the unity of Yemen, a core Saudi objective in the conflict.
These developments have triggered a rare public confrontation between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, exposing fractures within the coalition fighting in Yemen. The dispute reflects deeper disagreements over Yemen’s political future, control of strategic ports, and influence in the southern regions, raising concerns that infighting among former allies could further destabilise the war-ravaged country.
Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
First Published:
January 08, 2026, 16:31 IST
News world Saudi Arabia Accuses UAE Of Smuggling Wanted Yemen Separatist Leader Out Of Country
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