Full Analysis Summary
Zubaidi whereabouts reports
Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), missed a scheduled flight to Riyadh and was reported by his movement to be in Aden, prompting alarm and conflicting accounts across regional and international outlets.
Modern Diplomacy said he disappeared Wednesday after skipping a flight to Riyadh that was meant for talks to resolve the southern crisis.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the STC said Zubaidi was overseeing military and security operations in Aden and noted that Reuters could not independently verify his whereabouts.
The Straits Times likewise said he was reported to be in Aden on Jan 7 after missing the flight to Riyadh.
Al Jazeera described conflicting reports about his fate and whereabouts, underscoring uncertainty.
The BBC noted that the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) expelled Zubaidi after he failed to attend talks in Riyadh, highlighting the diplomatic fallout.
Coverage Differences
Contradiction / Uncertainty
Sources diverge on Zubaidi’s whereabouts and whether he "disappeared" or remained in Aden: Modern Diplomacy and the Saudi-led coalition language emphasize disappearance and mobilization, the STC (reported by The Jerusalem Post and Straits Times) insists he is in Aden and overseeing operations, BBC and Al-Jazeera stress the conflicting reports and lack of independent verification.
Reactions to Zubaidi crisis
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Saudi-aligned actors moved swiftly to punish or accuse Zubaidi, while the Southern Transitional Council described those steps as politically motivated.
Modern Diplomacy reported that the episode prompted Yemen's presidential council to strip Zubaidi of membership and refer him to prosecutors on charges including high treason and armed rebellion.
The BBC said the PLC expelled Aidarous al-Zubaidi and charged him with treason.
The Straits Times added that the PLC dismissed two ministers and ordered investigations and arrests over the distribution of arms, signaling formal institutional responses.
By contrast, Al Jazeera quoted STC leader Adel al-Tahish calling the PLC action politically motivated and extra-legal and warning it would not remove Zubaidi, and The Jerusalem Post relayed the STC's position without endorsing either side's claims.
Coverage Differences
Tone / Narrative
Official and Saudi-aligned sources frame the PLC actions as legal responses to alleged wrongdoing (treason, armed rebellion), while Al-Jazeera and STC spokespeople frame the same steps as politically motivated and extra-legal; The Straits Times highlights administrative moves like dismissals and arrests that signal state-level enforcement.
Southern Yemen force movements
Reports and government statements describe the mobilization of southern forces and clashes or strikes, while STC sources describe a managed redeployment.
Modern Diplomacy cited Saudi coalition claims that intelligence showed Zubaidi had mobilized large forces and armed factions, raising fears of renewed fighting.
It warned the move could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis.
Modern Diplomacy also said civilians in southern Yemen remain at heightened risk.
The BBC reported the Saudi-led coalition said Zubaidi fled Aden, moved a large force toward al-Dhale province, and that coalition air strikes killed four people.
Al-Jazeera quoted Adel al-Tahish calling the situation a repositioning and redeployment and saying southern forces were now in charge.
The Straits Times noted Saudi-backed government forces were reported advancing on Aden.
The Jerusalem Post relayed the STC's claim that Zubaidi was overseeing military and security operations.
Coverage Differences
Narrative / Tone
Security-focused sources (Modern Diplomacy, BBC, Straits Times) emphasize mobilization, advancing government forces, and air strikes—depicting escalation and civilian risk—while Al-Jazeera and STC quotes frame movements as a deliberate "repositioning and redeployment" under southern command, downplaying an uncontrolled flight or collapse.
Saudi-UAE rift in Yemen
Observers say the episode has deepened the Saudi-UAE rift and complicated the anti-Houthi coalition's unity even as each outlet emphasizes different consequences.
Modern Diplomacy wrote the move "deepens a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE - whose proxy, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), has seized territory in the south - and prompted Yemen's presidential council to strip Zubaidi of membership," warning it "could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis."
The Straits Times said the episode "has deepened the public rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE and undermined hopes for a quick resolution to the southern crisis."
The BBC noted it has "pushed southern Yemen to the brink of renewed fighting... and [is] straining Saudi-UAE relations."
Al-Jazeera emphasized the STC's political resilience, quoting al-Tahish that the PLC action would not remove Zubaidi given his "broad popular mandate."
Coverage Differences
Focus / Emphasis
Modern Diplomacy and BBC stress regional strategic and security fallout—possible weakening of Gulf coordination and risk of renewed fighting—while The Straits Times highlights the public rift and stalled resolution; Al-Jazeera focuses on STC legitimacy and resistance to PLC measures, quoting STC officials asserting popular mandate.
Uncertainty over Riyadh talks
What happens next remains unclear as both sides claim different procedures and control over talks and forces.
The BBC quoted an unnamed authority saying it has received no official information about the whereabouts or condition of Subaihi’s delegation in Riyadh, calling the lack of information 'serious' and demanding urgent clarification.
Al-Jazeera said an STC delegation is handling talks and that al‑Zubaidi continues to perform his duties from an unspecified location.
The Straits Times and The Jerusalem Post said Reuters could not independently verify his location.
Modern Diplomacy warned the incident jeopardizes Riyadh-hosted negotiations, risks further clashes, and could weaken Gulf coordination against the Iran-aligned Houthis, underscoring continued uncertainty and risks to civilians and to the talks.
Coverage Differences
Missed information / Verification
Multiple outlets highlight a lack of independent verification and official clarity: BBC records officials demanding clarification, The Jerusalem Post and Straits Times explicitly say "Reuters could not independently verify his whereabouts," while Al-Jazeera conveys STC claims that a delegation is handling talks and that Zubaidi remains exercising duties — showing the gap between official verification and partisan claims.