Saudi Arabian strikes follow exit of Yemeni leaderAFP, ADEN, YemenA Saudi Arabian-led coalition yesterday struck the home province of Aidaros Alzubidi, Yemen’s United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed separatist leader, after he failed to show up for talks in Riyadh and was kicked out of the country’s presidential body. The coalition said that it had given Alzubidi a 48-hour ultimatum to travel to Riyadh for discussions, after his Southern Transitional Council grabbed swathes of territory last month. The Southern Transitional Council’s advance and the Saudi Arabian response have also sent relations with the UAE, a rival powerbroker in Yemen, plummeting. The Southern Transitional Council said that it was open to discussions, but warned that it had lost contact with its delegation in Riyadh, urging Saudi Arabian authorities to guarantee the group’s safety. The coalition carried out strikes to prevent Alzubidi from “escalating the conflict” and extending it into Dhale governorate, he added.

Source: Taipei Times January 07, 2026 16:03 UTC