Al-Jaber: The Southern Transitional Council Prevents a Saudi Delegation from Landing at Aden Airport and Halts Air Traffic
An Unprecedented Escalation Reveals the Depth of the Saudi–Emirati Rift in Southern Yemen
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, revealed that the president of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarus al-Zubaidi, refused to grant landing clearance to a Saudi aircraft carrying a negotiating delegation, preventing it from landing at Aden International Airport.
In a post on the “X” platform, Al-Jaber explained that al-Zubaidi issued direct instructions to shut down air traffic at Aden Airport, a move observers described as a dangerous political and security escalation within the coalition camp.
The STC Defies Riyadh Despite the UAE’s Declared Withdrawal
These developments come at a time when the United Arab Emirates has announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen following a direct but limited confrontation with Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council continues to refuse any retreat from the territorial gains it has achieved in the governorates of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, acting under direct guidance from the Emirati leadership.
A Struggle for Influence Within the Coalition
According to observers, Saudi Arabia has now taken the lead on the political and military stage on behalf of its allied forces, confronting the Emirati-backed STC camp. This comes after the latter succeeded in making significant advances and taking control of three southern governorates, deepening divisions within the coalition and redrawing the lines of conflict in southern Yemen.
