Status verified as of 22 September 2026. Political positions change; this explainer describes the documented position on that date.
Current position
The Southern Transitional Council controls Aden and other southern Yemeni governorates and has declared self-administration there, while its participation in Yemen's internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council ended with the January 2026 expulsion and treason charges against its leader, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, amid rising tension between Saudi-backed and UAE-backed factions. This bundle does not assess developments after 7 January 2026.[1]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: On 7 January 2026, Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council expelled STC leader Aidarus al-Zubaidi and filed treason charges against him, amid tension between Saudi-backed and UAE-backed factions and disputes over STC military advances in Hadramout and Mahra governorates; al-Zubaidi reportedly declined to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks and moved to an unknown location with an armed force. This bundle does not assess developments after this date.
- Yemen anti-Houthi council expels separatist leader as he faces treason charges (The Times of Israel) link, Expulsion and context sections. Source record
Printed from https://independenceatlas.com/movements/south-yemen/status · last substantive update 24 September 2026.