The Federal Republic of Somalia has launched an investigation into allegations that its airspace or airports were used without authorization to facilitate the movement of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), officials said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) said it is coordinating with relevant government institutions to determine whether Somali airspace or airports were involved in the movement of what it described as a “fugitive political figure,” in possible violation of national laws and approval procedures.
The agency warned that, if confirmed, such actions would constitute a serious breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and immigration regulations. It stressed that facilitating fugitives or allowing unilateral activities on Somali territory without official consent is unacceptable and contrary to both domestic and international legal frameworks.
The ICA reiterated that Somalia has consistently supported Saudi Arabia’s call for dialogue in Riyadh as the appropriate political process for addressing Yemen’s crisis. It said any attempt by al-Zubaidi to bypass that process, including through alleged external assistance, would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The investigation follows claims by the Saudi-led coalition that al-Zubaidi ignored instructions to travel to Riyadh for talks and instead fled Aden by sea before departing the region by air. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the STC leader mobilized forces toward Al-Dhale in southwestern Yemen before leaving.
The STC has denied the allegations, insisting that al-Zubaidi remains in Aden and continues to operate from there, though it has not issued a detailed response to the claims.
Somali authorities said that if the investigation substantiates the reports, the actions would also represent breaches of bilateral agreements and violations of international law. The ICA said appropriate legal and administrative measures would be taken once the inquiry is concluded.
The developments come amid heightened tensions within the coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government, as disputes persist over the role of the STC, which has long advocated for the secession of southern Yemen—an objective rejected by Yemeni authorities, who insist on preserving the country’s territorial unity.
