Saudi-led coalition launches strike in Yemen amid reports of STC leaders departure

Saudi-Led Coalition Launches Strikes in Yemen’s Dali Governorate

A statement issued by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has confirmed that it launched strikes on the country’s southern Dali governorate, targeting separatist forces. The coalition stated that its actions were taken after the leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarous al-Zubaidi, failed to board a plane scheduled to take him to Riyadh for talks.

Al-Zubaidi was due to depart from Aden on Tuesday night for discussions with the internationally recognized government of Yemen. However, he did not board the plane and instead “fled to an unknown location.” The coalition received information that al-Zubaidi had mobilized a large force, including armoured vehicles, heavy and light weapons, as well as ammunition.

The coalition launched pre-emptive strikes at 4:00am local time in the Dhali governorate, targeting the separatist forces. The group’s advance has been significant, with the STC seizing control of broad swaths of southern Yemen, including the Hadramout and Mahra provinces.

In December, the STC launched an offensive against government troops backed by Saudi Arabia, seeking an independent state in the south. The coalition responded with air strikes on the port of Mukalla, targeting a shipment allegedly linked to the UAE. The STC has since attended peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, and its delegation departed Yemen for Riyadh earlier this morning.

The coalition’s statement did not provide further details on the current situation or the whereabouts of al-Zubaidi.

Source: Al Jazeera