Yemen's Saudi-backed Council expels separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi

The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council said it removed Aidarous al-Zubaidi from membership and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason after he did not board a flight to Riyadh for Saudi-brokered talks; a Saudi-led coalition spokesman said it launched preemptive strikes after Zubaidi mobilized armed units.

The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council said on Jan. 7 that it had removed separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi from its membership and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including high treason after he did not board a flight to attend Saudi-brokered talks in Riyadh. A spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition said it carried out preemptive strikes after Zubaidi mobilized armed units. The council described the referral as a formal step and said the public prosecutor will review the case. Key facts: - The Presidential Leadership Council announced Zubaidi's removal and referral to prosecutors on charges that include high treason. - The council said the action followed Zubaidi's failure to board a flight to Riyadh for Saudi-brokered talks intended to address clashes among factions. - A Saudi-led coalition spokesman reported that the coalition carried out preemptive strikes after Zubaidi mobilized armed units. - The case has been sent to the public prosecutor; further legal steps are undetermined at this time. Summary: The council's decision removes Zubaidi from its membership and was presented in connection with his absence from the Riyadh talks and his reported mobilization of armed units. The referral to the public prosecutor begins formal legal review, and further actions are undetermined at this time.