Fri Jan 02 07:06:16 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten news article based on it:
Summary:
On January 2, 2026, The Hindu reported that the leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, refused landing permission to a Saudi delegation’s plane in Aden. According to Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, Al-Zubaidi also directed the closure of Aden airport, Yemen’s main international gateway outside of Houthi control, on January 1, 2026.
News Article:
Yemen: Southern Council Leader Blocks Saudi Delegation Landing in Aden
Dubai, January 2, 2026 – Tensions flared in Yemen on Thursday as Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), reportedly refused landing permission for a Saudi delegation’s plane at Aden International Airport.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, announced the incident on social media, stating that Al-Zubaidi also directed the closure of air traffic at the airport, which is a crucial gateway for regions of Yemen not controlled by Houthi forces. Flights at Aden airport were halted on Thursday.
The move raises questions about the relationship between the STC and Saudi Arabia, particularly given Saudi Arabia’s efforts to mediate in the ongoing Yemeni conflict. The incident is likely to further complicate the already complex political landscape in the war-torn nation.
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