The Saudi-backed presidential council in Yemen has expelled the leader of a separatist group and charged him with treason after he failed to fly to Riyadh for talks. Six other members of the presidency accused Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), of 'undermining the independence of the republic'. A Saudi-led military coalition said Zubaidi 'fled' after not joining STC officials on a flight from Aden and 'moved a large force' to al-Dahle province. Coalition aircraft launched strikes on the forces in response, it added, with the STC reporting that the strikes killed four people.

It also expressed concern that contact had been lost with the group's delegation in Riyadh. The past few weeks have seen southern Yemen moving to the brink of a new conflict, further complicating the ongoing civil war against the Iran-backed Houthi movement. STC-aligned forces have taken control of much of southern Yemen in their pursuit of independence.

Amid heightened tensions, the presidential council issued a decree stripping Zubaidi of his membership and referring him for prosecution on various charges, amplifying the already complex landscape of Yemeni politics where multiple factions struggle for dominance.