Salah Bin Lagbar Reveals: Detention and Beating of “Transitional Council” Delegation in Riyadh and Forcing Leaders to Announce Dissolution of the Council
A media figure close to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council accuses Saudi intelligence of confiscating phones and passports, detaining the delegation in closed rooms for three days, and imposing a pre-written statement under threat.
NYN | Reports and Analyses
Journalist Salah Bin Lagbar, who is close to the UAE-aligned Southern Transitional Council (STC), revealed shocking details about what he described as the first three days of the council delegation’s visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as part of consultations that preceded the announcement of the council’s dissolution.
In posts published on his social media accounts, Bin Lagbar said that from the moment the southern delegation arrived at Riyadh Airport, they were subjected to strict measures, including being transported directly in a large black bus, with all their personal belongings confiscated — including phones, watches, and passports.
Confiscation and Complete Isolation: “Windowless Lit Rooms”
Bin Lagbar explained that the delegation was later transferred to a building surrounded by high walls, where members were distributed into individually lit rooms without windows. He noted that they spent three days there in total isolation, unable to tell the time, distinguish between night and day, or even know prayer times.
He added that the delegation was not allowed to communicate with any external party, and their only interaction was with guards and interrogators.
Allegations of Beatings and Questioning About al-Zubaidi’s Whereabouts
Bin Lagbar stated that some delegation members were beaten during interrogations, accusing Saudi intelligence officers of being responsible. He said the questioning focused primarily on determining the whereabouts of the council’s president, Aidarous al-Zubaidi.
Hotels, Residency Permits, and Bank Cards — Refusal to Accept
According to Bin Lagbar’s account, after three days of detention, the delegation was transferred to hotels in Riyadh, where each member was given an official residency permit and a bank card loaded with varying amounts of money. However, he claimed that most of them refused to accept these items.
Meeting with Khalid bin Salman: “Dissolve the Council and Condemn al-Zubaidi as a Precondition”
The media figure close to the STC said that at a later stage, several council leaders were summoned to meet with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, who offered what he described as “positive” promises. However, according to the account, he made it a prerequisite that the Southern Transitional Council be immediately dissolved and that Aidarous al-Zubaidi be publicly condemned.
Forcing Ahmed bin Breik to Read a Pre-Written Statement Under Threat
Bin Lagbar further claimed that Saudi authorities later forced senior council figure Ahmed bin Breik to read a pre-written statement announcing the dissolution of the council, indicating that this was done under threat.
Observers: Riyadh Treats Local Actors as Employees, Not Partners
The account sparked widespread reactions, with observers arguing that Saudi Arabia continues to treat local forces as subordinate tools and employees, rather than as political partners representing a sovereign state.
