Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a Saudi military official and coalition spokesman, stated that the arms were destined for the Southern Transitional Council (S.T.C.), an Emirati-backed separatist group. The S.T.C. has gained control of territory in southern Yemen in recent weeks. The Emirati Foreign Ministry refuted the claim that the shipment contained arms.
The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since the country descended into civil war in 2014, when the nation splintered into various factions. The conflict has created a complex geopolitical landscape, pitting U.S. allies against each other.
The U.S. State Department reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan regarding the escalating tensions in Yemen. The conversation underscores the U.S.'s concern over the destabilizing situation and the potential impact on regional security.
The withdrawal of Emirati troops and the Saudi airstrike represent a significant shift in the dynamics of the Yemeni conflict. The U.A.E. had been a key partner in the Saudi-led coalition, but disagreements over strategy and the future of Yemen appear to have strained the relationship. The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the U.A.E., seeks greater autonomy for southern Yemen, a goal that clashes with the Saudi-backed government's aim of maintaining a unified state. The future of Yemen remains uncertain as these tensions continue to unfold.
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