The Southern Transitional Council announced that contact had been lost with its delegation that traveled to Saudi Arabia for talks, calling on Riyadh to guarantee the delegation’s safety.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi issued a republican decree revoking the membership of Aidarus al-Zubaidi, referring him to the public prosecutor over accusations of committing crimes classified as “high treason” and harming the security and unity of the state.

Following a night of Saudi airstrikes on Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council demanded in a statement that Saudi authorities “immediately halt the air bombardment and ensure the safety of its delegation present in Riyadh.”

STC spokesperson Anwar al-Tamimi confirmed to Agence France-Presse that contact had been lost with the council’s delegation, that traveled to Riyadh on Tuesday night.

He also reaffirmed the council’s “continued positive and responsible engagement with various political initiatives and dialogue efforts,” stemming from its belief that “serious dialogue is the best way to address just causes, foremost among them the cause of the people of the South.”

The Southern Transitional Council said in a statement that “a delegation from the Southern Transitional Council had departed for the Saudi capital, Riyadh, headed by the council’s secretary-general, Sheikh Abdulrahman Shaer al-Subaihi, and including a number of members of the council’s Presidency Authority, to take part in the anticipated conference related to the cause of the people of the South. This reflects the council’s openness and readiness to engage constructively with any political track that takes into account the aspirations of the people of the South and their legitimate rights.”

At the same time, the statement affirmed that Aidarus al-Zubaidi “continues to carry out his duties from Aden, alongside his people, closely following up on and directly overseeing the work of the military, security, and civilian institutions.”

Revocation of Al-Zubaidi’s membership

Meanwhile, Rashad al-Alimi issued a republican decree revoking Al-Zubaidi’s membership in the Presidential Leadership Council and suspending him from duty, on the basis of a series of charges, most notably high treason with the intent of undermining the independence of the republic, harming its military, political, and economic standing, forming an armed group, and committing killings against officers and soldiers of the armed forces, in addition to violating the constitution and breaching applicable laws.

Article Two of the decree stipulates the revocation of Al-Zubaidi’s membership in the Presidential Leadership Council, while Article Three tasks the public prosecutor with taking the necessary legal measures and investigating the allegations attributed to him, in accordance with the laws in force.