The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched strikes on the country's southern Dali governorate, claiming to target separatist forces after their leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled. According to a statement issued early Wednesday by the coalition, al-Zubaidi, leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), was scheduled to fly from Aden on Tuesday night for talks in Riyadh aimed at resolving the conflict between his group and the internationally recognized government of Yemen.

The coalition stated that al-Zubaidi did not board the plane and has since fled to an undisclosed location. "During this time, the legitimate government and the coalition received information that al-Zubaidi had mobilised a large force, including armoured vehicles, heavy and light weapons, as well as ammunition," the statement read. The coalition further asserted that this force was located in the Dhali governorate, prompting pre-emptive strikes at 4:00 a.m. local time to prevent al-Zubaidi from escalating the conflict and extending it to the Dhali governorate.

The STC, which seeks independence for southern Yemen, has been a key player in the ongoing Yemeni civil war. The conflict, which began in 2014, pits the Iran-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government, supported by the Saudi-led coalition. The STC has at times fought alongside the coalition against the Houthis, but tensions have also flared between the STC and the Yemeni government.

The strikes come amid ongoing efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Yemeni conflict. The United Nations has been mediating talks between the warring parties, but progress has been slow. The failure of al-Zubaidi to attend the planned talks in Riyadh and the subsequent military action by the coalition raise concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution. The situation remains fluid, and the potential for further escalation remains high.