Saudi-led coalition attacks Yemen’s southern Al-Dhale governorate

(MENAFN) The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced early Wednesday that it carried out targeted strikes in the southern Al-Dhale governorate, citing the failure of Southern Transitional Council (STC) leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi to board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia.

According to coalition officials, the operation was intended as a preemptive measure. “Following coordination with the legitimate government and National Shield Forces, the Coalition Forces conducted a limited preemptive strike at (0400) to disable those forces and thwart what Aidarous al-Zubaidi was aiming to accomplish, conflict escalation and spread into Al-Dhale Governorate,” said coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki.

Al-Zubaidi had been instructed on Sunday to travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet with the Presidential Leadership Council chairman and coalition representatives to discuss attacks by STC-linked forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah. Although he indicated plans to attend the talks on Tuesday, he did not board the Yemenia Airways flight from Aden after multiple delays.

The coalition reported that, during this period, intelligence indicated that al-Zubaidi had mobilized a significant military presence, including armored and combat vehicles, as well as heavy and light weapons and munitions. The strikes were presented as an effort to prevent further escalation in the region.

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