Saudis say leader of UAE-backed separatists in Yemen blocked delegation from visiting Aden

Cars drive through a street in Aden, where the internationally recognized government of Yemen is based, on December 31, 2025. (Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP)
Cars drive through a street in Aden, where the internationally recognized government of Yemen is based, on December 31, 2025. (Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen says that Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, refused landing permission the previous day for a plane carrying a Saudi delegation to Aden.

Zubaidi issued directives to close air traffic at Aden airport, the ambassador, Mohammed Al-Jaber, adds in a post on X. Yemen’s Aden International Airport is the main gateway to regions of the country outside Houthi control.

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