UAE prevents STC’s leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, from entering its territory

SANAA, Sept. 14 (YPA) – The UAE authorities refused to allow the president of the so-called “Southern Transitional Council” (STC), Aidarous al-Zubaidi, to enter its territory, in a move described as “a public insult,” informed political sources reported on Saturday.

The sources reported that the Yemeni plane carrying al-Zubaidi from Aden Airport to Abu Dhabi was not granted permission to land, causing it to hover in Omani airspace for more than 30 minutes before returning.

The sources indicated that al-Zubaidi’s sudden departure followed sharp disagreements with the head of the Presidential Leadership Council loyal to the Saudi-led coalition, Rashad al-Alimi, who also left for Riyadh last week.

Observers believe that al-Zubaidi’s recent decisions to appoint loyalists to various positions represent a “coup” against al-Alimi’s council and that his trip to Abu Dhabi was part of the escalating conflict between the two parties, as each seeks to implement the agendas of its employers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to observers, this Emirati move confirms the imminent “dispensing with al-Zubaidi’s services,” especially in light of expectations of a comprehensive restructuring of the Leadership Council.

YPA