Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) escalated on Thursday after Saudi officials accused the UAE of smuggling a Yemen separatist leader out of the country. According to a military statement, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), was allegedly flown to Abu Dhabi after escaping Yemen by boat.
The Saudi statement claimed that al-Zubaidi fled to Somalia before being transported to the UAE. The accusation adds to the growing rift between the two nations, which have been partners in the ongoing conflict in Yemen but are now at odds over the STC’s recent military actions. Saudi Arabia has expressed concerns as STC fighters advanced in two governorates, raising fears they may seek to secede from Yemen.
Major General Turki al-Malki identified a major general in the UAE as allegedly being involved in al-Zubaidi’s escape. Notably, he referenced an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft linked to the operation, suggesting it had previously operated in conflict zones like Ethiopia, Libya, and Somalia. This aircraft has been associated with the transportation of arms in the region, which the UAE has denied.
The Emirati foreign ministry has not yet responded to the claims, nor has the STC explicitly acknowledged the allegations. Instead, they stated that al-Zubaidi remained in Aden, where forces aligned against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have gathered since the insurgents seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
The Southern Transitional Council has faced increasing scrutiny from Saudi Arabia. On March 13, 2024, the Presidential Leadership Council, which includes al-Zubaidi, expelled him and accused him of treason. This decision followed al-Zubaidi’s refusal to travel to Saudi Arabia for negotiations.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to over 150,000 deaths, both military and civilian, and has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally. As the war continues, the Houthi rebels have also heightened tensions by launching attacks on shipping routes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, threatening vital global commerce.
In recent developments, the United States has conducted air strikes against the Houthi rebels, a policy that has continued under both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in addressing the Yemen crisis.
The accusations made by Saudi Arabia against the UAE are likely to further strain the relationships between these two neighboring OPEC members. Both nations have increasingly found themselves competing over economic interests and regional influence, particularly in the Red Sea area.
