Yemen separatist leader in Aden, misses Saudi talks

Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), was reported in Aden after skipping a flight to Riyadh for talks amid a crisis straining relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The STC claimed he was overseeing military operations while they lost contact with their Riyadh delegation, raising concerns about unrest. Saudi officials accused Zubaidi of inciting rebellion and stripped him of his membership, calling for an investigation into weapon distribution. Tensions continue to escalate as the Saudi coalition conducted airstrikes in response to military movements in southern Yemen.