The whereabouts of Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), remain uncertain amidst conflicting reports and escalating tensions in Yemen. Conflicting narratives have emerged regarding his location, fueling speculation and raising questions about the future of the STC and its role in the ongoing conflict.
Coalition Claims Zoubaidi Fled
The Saudi-led coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen has stated that al-Zoubaidi has fled to an undisclosed location. According to a statement, this occurred after he was instructed to travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet with Presidential Council head Rashad al-Alimi. The coalition alleges that al-Zoubaidi distributed weapons in Aden to incite unrest. It further claimed to have conducted preemptive strikes against STC forces near the al-Zand camp in al-Dhale’e governorate to thwart an attempt to escalate the conflict.
Presidential Council Announces Dismissal and Investigation
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council reportedly convened an emergency meeting to address the unfolding security and military developments in the south. According to reports, the Council decided to dismiss Aidarus al-Zoubaidi from his membership. Furthermore, he has been referred to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason, forming an armed gang, and committing grave violations against civilians. The council also relieved the ministers of transportation and planning of their duties and ordered an investigation into their conduct. A crackdown on those involved in distributing weapons and threatening civil peace has also been initiated.
STC Insists Zoubaidi Remains in Aden
In contrast, the Southern Transitional Council maintains that al-Zoubaidi is actively carrying out his duties from Aden. The STC stated that he is directly overseeing military and security operations and monitoring the work of civilian institutions to ensure stability and security in the southern governorates. The Council emphasized its commitment to engaging positively and responsibly with various political initiatives and dialogue efforts, believing that serious dialogue is the best way to address just causes, especially the cause of the people of the South. The STC has also expressed serious concern regarding the lack of communication with its delegation that arrived in Riyadh. To date, no official information has been provided concerning their whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding their situation.