Somalia has opened a probe into claims that its airspace may have been used without authorization to facilitate the travel of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to a statement issued Thursday by the country’s immigration authorities.
The Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) said it is coordinating with other government institutions to establish whether Somali airspace or airports were involved in the movement of what it described as a “fugitive political figure,” in possible violation of national laws and approval procedures.
The agency warned that, if proven, such actions would amount to a grave violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and immigration regulations, stressing that enabling fugitives or conducting unilateral activities on Somali territory without official consent is unacceptable.
Somalia, the ICA noted, continues to back Saudi Arabia’s push for dialogue in Riyadh as the legitimate framework for addressing Yemen’s political crisis. It added that any attempt by al-Zubaidi to bypass this process, including through alleged external assistance, would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The statement further cautioned that any confirmed violations would constitute breaches of bilateral agreements and international law, adding that appropriate legal and administrative measures would be taken once the investigation is concluded.
Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition said al-Zubaidi ignored directives to travel to Riyadh for talks and instead mobilized forces toward Al-Dhale in southwestern Yemen. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki later claimed that the STC leader fled Aden by sea before departing the region by air — an account the STC has denied, insisting al-Zubaidi remains in Aden and continues to operate from there.
The STC has not provided a detailed response, reiterating only that its leader is active and rejecting the allegations.
The developments come amid heightened tensions within the coalition. Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates of encouraging STC forces to launch military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra — accusations Abu Dhabi dismissed.
The two provinces, which together make up nearly half of Yemen’s landmass, were captured by STC fighters last month before government forces reclaimed them earlier this week.
The STC has long advocated for the separation of southern Yemen, arguing that the region has been politically and economically marginalized by successive governments. Yemeni authorities reject the separatist push, maintaining that the country’s territorial integrity must be preserved.