Uncertainty deepened in Yemen’s already volatile south after the leader of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarous al Zubaidi, failed to board a flight to Riyadh for crisis talks meant to defuse a rapidly escalating confrontation. His absence injected fresh tension into diplomatic efforts and further strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two key regional powers whose partnership in Yemen is now under visible pressure.

The crisis has unfolded at remarkable speed, exposing fractures within the coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government as it battles the Iran aligned Houthi movement in the north. The latest dispute centres on the south, where UAE backed separatists and Saudi backed government forces have clashed for weeks, undoing years of uneasy coexistence.

Following al Zubaidi’s failure to appear in Riyadh, the STC said its leader remained in Aden, overseeing military and security operations in the strategic port city. His exact location could not be independently confirmed, and conflicting statements from the separatist camp only added to the confusion. At one point, the group said it had lost contact with its own delegation, only to later confirm that senior figures had arrived in the Saudi capital and that discussions would proceed.

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A senior STC official, Mohammad al Ghaithi, said meetings would begin in what he described as a constructive atmosphere, aimed at laying the groundwork for broader southern dialogue under Saudi sponsorship. It remained unclear, however, who would formally represent the council in the absence of its leader. Another STC figure insisted al Zubaidi had not fled and argued that security conditions made travel inappropriate at this time.

On the ground, developments were equally troubling. Saudi backed Yemeni government forces were reported to be advancing toward Aden, raising fears of renewed fighting around one of the country’s most vital urban centres. These moves effectively dashed hopes that the Riyadh talks would deliver a quick political breakthrough.

The situation took a sharper turn when Yemen’s presidential leadership council removed al Zubaidi from its ranks and referred him for prosecution on charges that include high treason. The decision accused him of encouraging armed rebellion, undermining constitutional authority, and allowing abuses against civilians in the south.

Saudi coalition officials said intelligence suggested al Zubaidi had mobilized significant forces, prompting calls for his deputy to impose order. As rival camps trade accusations and military positions harden, Yemen’s southern crisis now threatens not only local stability but also the fragile balance between regional allies whose interests no longer fully align.