Khaberni - The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen led by Saudi Arabia announced that Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council, has fled to an unknown location to date, abandoning the council's members and leaders without any details, just when he was supposed to arrive in Riyadh to attend a comprehensive conference gathering all southern components.
In further details, the coalition stated in a statement today, Wednesday, that Al-Zubaidi fled to an unknown location after distributing weapons and ammunition to dozens of elements in Aden under the command of Mumin Al-Saqaf and Mukhtar Al-Noubi with the aim of causing unrest in the city in the coming hours.
This prompted the Yemeni legitimate forces and the coalition forces to request from the deputy head of the presidential council, Abdul Rahman Al-Muharrami "Abu Zara", to impose security and prevent any clashes occurring within Aden, sparing its people any disturbances, preserving lives and properties, and cooperating with national shield forces.
Preemptive strikes
Similarly, the coalition forces, in coordination with the legitimate government forces and the national shield, executed at exactly (0400) early morning limited preemptive strikes to neutralize those forces that emerged from the camps and thwart what Al-Zubaidi aimed at in terms of exacerbating the conflict and its spread to the Dhale province.
Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson of the coalition forces stated that the coalition command informed Al-Zubaidi on January 4 to come to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours for a meeting with Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, president of the presidential leadership council, and the coalition command to discuss the reasons behind the escalation and attack by the forces of the transitional council on the provinces of Hadramawt and Mahra, east of Yemen.
After his flight to an unknown location, despite confirming his participation in a comprehensive Yemeni southern dialogue conference in Riyadh, the presidential leadership council of Yemen announced the termination of Aidarous Al-Zubaidi's membership from the council.
The leadership council clarified in a statement today, Wednesday, that it referred Al-Zubaidi to the attorney general and suspended him from his duties on charges of high treason intending to harm the republic's independence as per article (125) of the crimes and penalties law, according to Saba agency.
It also added that Al-Zubaidi assaulted the constitution and hindered state efforts, and repeatedly formed armed gangs, committed murders of military officers and soldiers, exploited the southern just cause, and caused damage to it through egregious violations against civilians and sabotage of military facilities and sites as per article 126 of the crimes and penalties law.
The prosecution referral also accused Al-Zubaidi of assaulting the constitution and constitutional authorities as per articles 131, 132 of the crimes and penalties law. Moreover, it charged him with breaching the constitution, violating laws, and compromising the country's sovereignty and independence as per article 4 of the law for the trial of high-ranking officials.
This decision came after the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen earlier today revealed that Al-Zubaidi, who had previously informed Saudi Arabia of his participation in the Yemeni conference in Riyadh, fled to an unknown location without informing the members of the transitional council. The coalition also noted that Al-Zubaidi mobilized large forces including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition from the Hadid and Al-Solban camps towards Dhale around midnight.
