Dramatic Escape: Yemen's Southern Separatist Leader Flees to UAE Amid Gulf Power Clash

January 08, 2026

In a stunning development that has deepened the rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the leader of Yemen's southern separatists, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has fled the country and arrived in Abu Dhabi, according to accusations from the Saudi-led coalition.

Midnight Exodus: Clandestine Journey Revealed

The Saudi-led coalition stated that al-Zubaidi departed Aden late Wednesday night aboard a vessel heading to the port of Berbera in Somaliland. From there, he boarded a plane accompanied by UAE officers, stopping briefly in Mogadishu before landing at a military airport in Abu Dhabi.

Intelligence tracked the aircraft as it briefly disabled its transponder over the Gulf of Oman, reactivating it shortly before arrival. The operation unfolded just hours after al-Zubaidi skipped scheduled crisis talks in Riyadh and was stripped of his position in Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council on charges of high treason.

Accusations Fly: Saudi Claims UAE Orchestrated Smuggling

The coalition directly accused the UAE of facilitating the escape, escalating a public feud between the two Gulf giants. Witnesses reported Saudi-backed forces advancing toward Aden's port as the drama unfolded, regaining ground lost during recent separatist offensives.

Al-Zubaidi's Southern Transitional Council (STC) had no immediate comment on his whereabouts, though earlier statements insisted he remained in Yemen overseeing operations.

Background of Betrayal: From Alliance to Confrontation

The flight caps a rapid unraveling of southern Yemen's power dynamics. Last month, STC forces seized vast territories, prompting Saudi Arabia to view the moves as a direct security threat along its border.

Riyadh responded with airstrikes and support for government troops to reclaim key areas, including Hadramout and al-Mahra. Al-Zubaidi's refusal to attend Riyadh talks, citing threats, led to his expulsion from the council and treason charges for allegedly inciting rebellion.

Fractures Emerge: Signs of Division Within Separatists

In a potential blow to STC unity, a delegation from the group met Saudi officials in Riyadh, describing discussions as productive and focused on southern issues. This comes as some fighters reportedly switched sides amid advancing Saudi-aligned forces.

The STC, long backed by the UAE, has pursued southern independence, restoring echoes of the pre-1990 divided Yemen.

Regional Repercussions: Strained Gulf Ties and Yemen's Fragility

The incident exposes unprecedented strains between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once unified against Houthi rebels but now backing rival factions in Yemen's fractured landscape.

With al-Zubaidi reportedly safe in Abu Dhabi and no UAE response yet, questions mount over future coordination in the long-running conflict.

As Yemen grapples with one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, this bold extraction risks further instability, complicating efforts to unify against common threats and reshape the Arabian Peninsula's delicate balance of power.

The coming days may reveal whether dialogue prevails or the Gulf rift widens into broader confrontation.