UPDATE - Saudi-led coalition says it carried out strikes in Yemen

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, ADDS DECK

By Rabia Iclal Turan and Lina Altawell

WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (AA) – The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said early Wednesday that it had carried out strikes in the country’s southern Al-Dhale governorate, accusing Southern Transitional Council (STC) leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi of failing to board a flight scheduled to take him to Saudi Arabia.

“Following coordination with the legitimate government and National Shield Forces, the Coalition Forces conducted a limited preemptive strike at (0400) to disable those forces and thwart what Aidarous al-Zubaidi was aiming to accomplish, conflict escalation and spread into Al-Dhale Governorate,” coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said in a statement.

According to the statement, Zubaidi had been instructed on Sunday to travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi and coalition officials to discuss attacks by STC-affiliated forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah in eastern Yemen.

Zubaidi later indicated he would attend talks on Tuesday, but failed to board a Yemenia Airways flight from Aden after it was delayed for several hours.

“During this time, information was made available to the legitimate government and the coalition that Aidarous al-Zubaidi has mobilized a large military force, including armored and combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons and munitions,” Al-Malki said.

Yemen’s presidential council also decided to sack Zubaidi from the body for alleged high treason and referred him to the public prosecutor.

The council said the decision was taken in line with its constitutional and legal authorities, without providing further details on the specific allegations behind the charge.

The STC, which advocates for the secession of southern Yemen, did not immediately comment on Zubaidi’s sacking.

The council, however, said Wednesday that Zubaidi continues to carry out his duties from the southern city of Aden, rejecting claims that he had fled to an unknown location.

The STC said it dispatched a delegation to Saudi Arabia to take part in an anticipated conference on southern Yemen.

Yemeni government forces recaptured the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra from the STC forces early this week. The two regions, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory, were seized by the STC fighters last month.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of pushing STC forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

On Friday, Zubaidi announced a two-year “transitional phase” that would include dialogue with parties in southern Yemen and a “referendum” on the future of the south.

The STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.