AL-Zubaidi and Bin Borik Leave Aden to Saudi Arabia with Emirati Guarantees

YemenExtra

Y.A

The former governor of Aden travelled to the Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday a day after announcing the formation of an independent transitional political council to govern the south of Yemen.

A local official in Aden, who spoke to The New Arab on condition of anonymity said that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, a former minister of state  controversially dismissed by President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi earlier this month, had departed Aden’s airport, accompanied by his new “vice president” Hani Bek Brik, who was also dismissed by Hadi.

Both al-Zubaidi and Ben Brik are known to have close ties to the leadership of the UAE, which is part of the Saudi-led coalition.

Although Hadi hails from the south himself, the official worked as vice president for 18 years under former President Saleh and is thus seen by some southern factions as a product of the international community and a puppet in the hands of the Saudis.

More than 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen’s ongoing war, which has also pushed the country to the brink of famine.