The Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen launched air strikes against secessionist forces in the southern part of the country on Tuesday, after the leader of the separatists, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, did not attend scheduled peace talks in Riyadh. Yemen's internationally recognized government has accused al-Zubaidi of high treason, further escalating tensions in the already fractured nation.

The air strikes targeted positions held by the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC), a group seeking independence for southern Yemen. The STC has been a major player in the ongoing Yemeni civil war, often clashing with forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, despite both nominally being aligned against the Houthi rebels who control much of northern Yemen.

The failure of al-Zubaidi to attend the Riyadh talks, brokered by Saudi Arabia, is seen as a significant setback to efforts to de-escalate the conflict between the government and the STC. The talks were intended to address grievances and power-sharing arrangements following years of fighting. The Saudi-led coalition, which has been supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis since 2015, now finds itself in the position of taking military action against a group that was once considered an ally in the broader fight against the Houthis.

The conflict in Yemen has its roots in the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, which led to the ousting of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. A power vacuum ensued, and the Houthi movement, a Zaidi Shia Muslim group, seized control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. This prompted the Saudi-led intervention the following year, transforming the internal conflict into a regional proxy war.

The STC emerged as a significant force in southern Yemen in 2017, advocating for the restoration of an independent South Yemen, which existed as a separate state until unification with the north in 1990. The STC's aspirations for independence have often clashed with the central government's authority, leading to armed confrontations.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the devastating humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Yemen, describing it as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Millions of Yemenis are facing starvation and disease, and the ongoing fighting has displaced millions more. International aid organizations are struggling to deliver assistance due to the ongoing violence and restrictions on access.

The latest escalation between the Saudi-led coalition and the STC further complicates the already complex political landscape in Yemen and raises concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. International observers are calling for all parties to return to the negotiating table and prioritize the needs of the Yemeni people. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days as regional and international actors attempt to mediate a ceasefire and prevent further bloodshed.