The coalition denies al-Zubaidi's house arrest and clarifies the Aden airport crisis
The Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen issued an important clarification regarding the news circulating about the crisis at Aden International Airport, categorically denying the rumors that the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Major General Aidarus al-Zubaidi, had been placed under house arrest or that other council leaders had been prevented from traveling. Informed sources within the coalition confirmed that what had been circulating in some media outlets and on social media platforms was nothing more than misinterpretation of routine technical and protocol procedures, and had no political implications aimed at restricting the movement of Yemeni leaders.
In further detail, the coalition explained that air traffic management at Aden Airport, particularly for private flights and official delegations, is subject to precise coordination mechanisms aimed at ensuring airspace safety and the security of VIPs amidst the complex security situation in the country. Sources indicated that any delays that may occur are a natural consequence of these necessary security measures and do not reflect any tension in the relationship between the coalition and the Southern Transitional Council, which is a key partner in the Presidential Leadership Council and in the decisive battle against the Houthi militias.
Political context and historical background
These rumors come at a sensitive time in the Yemeni crisis, as international and regional actors seek to bolster the cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council, formed following the transfer of power, which includes Aidarus al-Zubaidi as a member. The interim capital, Aden, has long been an arena for political rivalries, but the Riyadh Agreement and subsequent Riyadh consultations established a framework for unifying ranks and setting aside secondary disputes to focus on restoring the state. The relationship between the coalition and southern factions is a cornerstone of stability in the liberated governorates, making any rumor of disagreements between them fertile ground for the opposing media machine seeking to sow discord.
The importance of stability in Aden and the impact of rumors
This denial carries significant weight both locally and regionally. Locally, refuting these allegations helps reassure the southern population and maintain public order in Aden, which is currently the administrative and political center of the legitimate government. Regionally, affirming the freedom of movement of Yemeni leaders strengthens the credibility of the Arab Coalition as a supporter of legitimacy, not its guardian, and underscores its commitment to supporting Yemeni institutions.
Observers believe that the repetition of such rumors is primarily aimed at disrupting the political landscape and creating a rift of distrust between Yemeni factions and the coalition. Therefore, the transparency demonstrated by the coalition in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the events at Aden airport thwarts attempts to exploit and politicize technical security procedures to serve agendas hostile to the project of restoring the Yemeni state.
