The Southern Transitional Council said Aidarous al-Zubaidi remained in Aden “to ensure security.” It also accused Saudi Arabia of launching deadly airstrikes in Yemen.

Somalia's immigration and citizenship agency said on Thursday that it had launched an investigation after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen accused the United Arab Emirates of spiriting a separatist leader out of the country via Mogadishu airport.

The Saudi-backed government in Yemen said it would send forces to reclaim territory from a group that the United Arab Emirates supports.