Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen said it launched preemptive strikes early Wednesday targeting secessionist forces in southwestern Yemen that were mobilized as their leader fled planned talks on bringing an end to their conflict.
The "limited preemptive strike" was conducted at 4 a.m. AST with the mission to disable the UAE-aligned Southern Transitional Council forces that were mobilizing in Dhale Governorate, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said in a statement.
The attack was carried out as the STC's leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, was scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia late Tuesday for talks on Wednesday on ending the conflict with the Yemen government.
According to the Saudi-led coalition, al-Zubaidi had informed it of his intention to attend the meeting and his delegation had left for the airport where his flight was scheduled to depart at 10:10 p.m.
The flight suffered a three-hour delay, during which the Saudi-led forces learned that al-Zubaidi had "mobilized a large military force, including armored and combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons" that were heading for Dhale Governorate.
