The Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes in Yemen’s Dhale governorate targeting secessionist forces after STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi failed to board a plane for peace talks in Riyadh.

The coalition said al-Zubaidi mobilized armed forces in Aden and Dhale, prompting preemptive strikes to prevent escalation.

The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the UAE, called for the strikes to stop and said al-Zubaidi remained in Aden overseeing operations.

The STC previously seized large parts of southern Yemen, including Hadramout and Mahra, challenging the Saudi-backed government, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government removed al-Zubaidi from the Presidential Leadership Council and launched a legal investigation against him for “high treason.”