Delegation led by Yemen's main separatist group to travel to Saudi Arabia

A delegation led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen's main separatist group STC, will soon travel to Saudi Arabia, two sources told Reuters on Monday, a potential sign of progress towards ending a conflict between separatists and Yemen's internationally recognised government.



The conflict, which began early last month, has triggered a major feud between the Gulf powers, Saudi Arabia and UAE, and fractured a coalition fighting Houthi forces.



The Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014 and Gulf countries intervened the following year in support of the internationally recognised government, splitting Yemen into rival zones of control.



The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council has for years been part of that government, which controls southern and eastern Yemen and is backed by Gulf states, but last month STC forces suddenly seized swathes of territory.