Saudi-led coalition strikes Yemen after STC leader ousted –

The air strikes come amid a deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and UAE, which backs forces fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.The latest upheaval in southern Yemen splintered the coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthis in the decade-long civil war .Saudi-led coalition strikes Yemen after STC leader ousted

The air strikes come amid a deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and UAE, which backs forces fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The latest upheaval in southern Yemen splintered the coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthis in the decade-long civil
Saudi-led coalition forces launched a series of airstrikes in Yemen’s Dhale province on Wednesday, targeting the home region of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Al-Zubaidi was removed from Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, formed in April 2022 after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi of Yemen’s internationally recognized government stepped down.

A fragile truce among Yemen’s anti-Houthi factions was shaken in December when the STC began seizing territory.

Infighting between forces battling Iranian-backed Houthi rebels
Al-Zubaidi had been scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia with other council officials for crisis talks, but he never showed.

The council’s chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, accused al-Zubaidi of inciting armed rebellion, attacking constitutional authorities and committing abuses against civilians in southern Yemen.

The STC said he was in the southern port city of Aden overseeing military and security operations.

The STC also reported it had lost contact with its delegation that had gone to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, for talks.