India, Jan. 9 -- Saudi Arabia alleged on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) smuggled a separatist leader in Yemen wanted for treason out of the country and flew him to Abu Dhabi. The UAE had no immediate reaction to the claim, which further escalates tensions between the neighbouring nations on the Arabian Peninsula as their partnership in the years-long war in Yemen breaks down.

A Saudi military statement claimed Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of the Southern Transitional Council, fled Yemen by boat to Somalia. Then, UAE officials flew al-Zubaidi to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, the statement said. The UAE has been the major supporter of the council, known as the STC, which sparked a

confrontation between Saudi Ara...