‘Coalition’ Reveals How Al-Zubaidi Fled Aden to Abu Dhabi via Somaliland

Spokesperson of the Coalition Major General Turki Al-Malki. Asharq Al-Awsat
Spokesperson of the Coalition Major General Turki Al-Malki. Asharq Al-Awsat
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‘Coalition’ Reveals How Al-Zubaidi Fled Aden to Abu Dhabi via Somaliland

Spokesperson of the Coalition Major General Turki Al-Malki. Asharq Al-Awsat
Spokesperson of the Coalition Major General Turki Al-Malki. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said Head of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, left for Somaliland by boat and then boarded an aircraft to Somalia's Mogadishu that landed at a military airport in Abu Dhabi.

"Reliable intelligence indicates that Aidrous Al-Zubaidi and others have escaped in the dead of night," a statement from the Coalition said early on Thursday, detailing a boat-and-plane journey from Aden to Abu Dhabi via Somaliland and Somalia.

The plane that took him to Mogadishu from Somaliland "under the supervision of UAE officers" waited for an hour before flying to a military airport in Abu Dhabi, the Coalition said.

The Coalition statement from Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft used in the operation had been used in “conflict zones” like Ethiopia, Libya and Somalia.

The statement came a day after Al-Zubaidi was expelled from Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) for high treason.

In a decree, PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi on Wednesday referred Al-Zubaidi to the general prosecutor for committing high treason and harming the unity and security of the state.



Khalid bin Salman Says Saudi Arabia Supporting 'Real Path' for Southern Yemen Cause

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman Says Saudi Arabia Supporting 'Real Path' for Southern Yemen Cause

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman announced on Friday that the Kingdom will form a committee to prepare for the conference Riyadh will host on southern Yemen.

The committee will be formed in consultation with southern Yemen figures, he added, saying the meeting will bring together southerners from all southern regions without discrimination.

The Kingdom will support the outcomes of the conference that will be on a dialogue table that will tackle a comprehensive political solution for the whole of Yemen, he said on the X platform.

He stressed that through the Riyadh conference, the Southern Cause now has a "real path forward that is being sponsored by Saudi Arabia and backed by the international community."

"We are seeking to bring together our southern brothers at the conference to come up with just comprehensive solutions that meet their aspirations," continued Prince Khalid.

Moreover, he noted the Yemeni Southern Transitional Council's decision to dissolve itself, describing the move as "brave" and "reflecting a keenness on the Southern Cause". It will encourage more figures from the South to take part in the conference.


Saudi Arabia Leading Efforts to Unite Yemeni Parties

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
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Saudi Arabia Leading Efforts to Unite Yemeni Parties

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber meets with the STC delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Ambassador on X)

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber held talks in Riyadh on Thursday with a delegation from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The meeting focused on the latest political developments in the country, notably the STC's unilateral military measures in the eastern governorates and their impact on the Southern Cause.

Al-Jaber stressed to the delegation the importance of uniting southern ranks and avoiding measures that would harm the cause and weaken efforts to confront joint challenges.

The measures, led by STC head Aidrous al-Zubaidi, did not help the cause, he stressed. Rather, they weakened the internal front during a critical phase that demands the highest levels of coordination and responsibility.

The Saudi and Yemeni officials discussed political means to approach the next phase as part of efforts to correct course in a way that meets the aspirations of the people of the South and aligns with the efforts of the Saudi-led coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen that are aimed at restoring security and stability in the country.

The meeting addressed arrangements for the Riyadh-hosted conference on the Southern Cause. Saudi Arabia has been keen on sponsoring comprehensive dialogue aimed at addressing the issue to come up with sustainable solutions that take into consideration national and regional circumstances.

STC member Mohammed al-Ghaithi described the meeting with Al-Jaber as fruitful. The gatherers rejected actions that harm the unity of southern ranks and stressed the importance of prioritizing the public interest.

The STC leadership highly appreciates the efforts carried out by Saudi Arabia, especially is hosting of the upcoming conference on the South, underscoring its complete support and faith in the Saudi leadership and its pivotal role in restoring stability, Ghaithi added.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Thursday with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During their call, the two officials discussed developments in Syria and the efforts being made in this regard.