The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw its remaining troops from Yemen following a request from Saudi Arabia to evacuate within 24 hours. This development signifies a significant rift between the two Gulf nations and major oil producers. The decision came after a Saudi-led coalition airstrike targeted a shipment of weapons from the UAE to separatist forces in the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen.
The airstrike in Mukalla, a crucial location along an important international trade route, poses new risks to the Persian Gulf region. Saudi Arabia expressed grave concerns over the actions of the UAE, labeling them as “extremely dangerous.”
The conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing for more than ten years, involves a complex mix of sectarian tensions and the intervention of regional powers. The recent escalation has raised apprehensions about the implications for the region.
Key players in the conflict include the Southern Transitional Council (STC), supported by the UAE, which recently seized control of significant territories in southern Yemen, including oil installations. The STC advocates for the restoration of South Yemen as an independent state, a status it held from 1967 to 1990. On the other side, the Iran-aligned Houthis control major parts of the country, including the capital city of Sanaa.
The Yemeni military, aligned with the internationally recognized government, is supported by the Hadramout Tribal Alliance, a coalition of local tribes backed by Saudi Arabia. Hadramout, the largest province in Yemen and a vital source of oil for the southern region, is a focal point of the conflict.
The recent hostilities have disrupted the fragile stability in Yemen, which had been sustained by a deal between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia to halt attacks in exchange for the cessation of Saudi-led air raids.
The escalating tensions have the potential to open a new front in Yemen’s prolonged conflict, with factions previously allied against the Houthis now facing off against each other. The discord between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi reflects broader disagreements over economic and political issues in the region, despite their historical cooperation.
The current standoff underscores the divergent interests of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, paving the way for a potential shift in the balance of power within the country. The STC’s enhanced position in southern Yemen could influence future negotiations aimed at resolving the Yemeni crisis, with demands for self-determination for the southern region.
The roots of the crisis in Yemen trace back to 2014 when the Houthis captured Sanaa, prompting Saudi Arabia and the UAE to intervene in support of the ousted government. The latest clashes pit the STC against forces loyal to the internationally recognized government, creating further complexities in Yemen’s multifaceted civil war.
Recent advancements in the region include the STC’s takeover of key facilities in Hadramout and Mahra provinces, including the country’s largest oil company. These actions were preceded by the Hadramout Tribal Alliance’s control of the PetroMasila oil facility, signaling a struggle for resources and influence in Yemen.
In response to the escalating situation, Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes in Hadramout as a warning to the separatist forces to cease their advances and vacate the contested governorates. The developments in Yemen highlight the evolving dynamics and competing interests of regional actors in the broader Middle East landscape.
