Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates regarding the future of Yemen have escalated significantly, raising concerns about a potential civil war in the south of the country and broader regional instability. The dispute centers on the possibility of the declaration of an independent southern Yemeni state, a move Saudi Arabia views as a threat to its security.
The disagreement has the potential to exacerbate existing conflicts, particularly in Sudan and the Horn of Africa, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE have often supported opposing factions. The two countries, while ostensibly allies in the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, have increasingly divergent interests and strategies in the region.
The UAE has been a key backer of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group seeking independence for southern Yemen. The STC, which controls Aden, the country's interim capital, has repeatedly clashed with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. The rivalry between the STC and the Yemeni government reflects historical divisions between the north and south of Yemen, which were separate countries until unification in 1990.
Saudi Arabia, wary of any moves that could embolden separatist movements within its own borders, is keen to maintain a unified Yemen under the authority of the current government. The kingdom views the UAE's support for the STC as undermining this goal and potentially destabilizing the entire region.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels seized control of the capital, Sanaa, has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The war has drawn in regional powers, turning Yemen into a proxy battleground. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, but the conflict has since devolved into a stalemate.
The UAE, while remaining part of the coalition, has gradually reduced its military presence in Yemen, focusing instead on supporting the STC and securing its interests in the south. This divergence in strategy has fueled the growing tensions with Saudi Arabia. The potential for a civil war within southern Yemen adds another layer of complexity to an already intractable conflict. The spillover effects could further destabilize neighboring countries and intensify existing regional rivalries. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to de-escalate tensions and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
In 2025, "decentering men" has become a popular concept, particularly among young women exploring alternatives to traditional dating. This trend, fueled by social media and figures like Tracee Ellis Ross, encourages women to prioritize personal fulfillment and redefine societal expectations around relationships and singlehood.
A recent report suggests Americans harbor negative feelings towards AI, particularly regarding data center construction, energy costs, and job displacement, prompting debate within the Democratic Party on whether to adopt an explicitly anti-AI stance. This situation highlights the complex societal implications of AI development and the need for political leaders to address public concerns about its impact on the environment and employment.
A team of forecasters revisited 25 predictions made at the beginning of 2025, assessing their accuracy at year's end. Using probability-based forecasting, they achieved an 80% success rate, highlighting the potential and limitations of predictive models in anticipating future events. This exercise demonstrates how AI-driven forecasting, while not infallible, can offer valuable insights into complex trends and developments.
The Trump administration's policies are significantly weakening federal data collection across sectors like environment, public health, and demographics, driven by ideological resistance and budget cuts. This degradation hinders scientific advancement, obscures economic realities, and undermines the ability to identify critical health trends, ultimately eroding public trust in institutions. Reduced data availability will have a long-term impact on policy making and scientific research.
A Vox video recaps the tumultuous events of 2025, highlighting political upheaval like Trump's second term and Gen Z protests, alongside cultural phenomena such as Labubu's rise and China's AI advancements with DeepSeek. The year ended with growing global unrest and new US military actions, underscoring a period of significant change and instability.
As the media landscape grapples with AI's transformative impact and economic uncertainties, major shifts are anticipated by 2026, including a succession battle at Disney and a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. amidst a streaming war between Netflix and Paramount. While established franchises continue to dominate, a film adaptation of "The Odyssey" is predicted to emerge as a surprising global box office leader, highlighting the enduring appeal of classic narratives.
This year's cinema showcased daring and emotionally resonant films, including Chloé Zhao's poetic exploration of grief in "Hamnet" and Ryan Coogler's ambitious "Sinners," demonstrating the power of grief and sin on the big screen. International highlights include Kleber Mendonça Filho's Brazilian thriller and Kaouther Ben Hania's impactful Tunisian film, highlighting diverse voices and perspectives in global cinema.
Get ready for the biggest and brightest "New Year's Rockin' Eve" ever, as Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora gear up to host a dazzling celebration in Times Square! With a record-breaking, crystal-studded ball dropping, this year's broadcast promises to be a must-watch event, captivating audiences with its signature blend of music, energy, and unforgettable moments.
Chris Hemsworth's Thor is set for a serious reinvention in *Avengers: Doomsday*, a direct response to criticisms of the character's comedic turn in previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films. The new film will portray a more solemn and battle-worn Thor, as evidenced by a recent teaser showcasing the character's emotional depth and gravitas. This shift aims to restore the character's heroic essence and resonate with audiences seeking a more mature portrayal.
A new study in *Nature* reveals the significant and often overlooked environmental impact of wearable healthcare electronics, projecting a 42-fold increase in global consumption by 2050 with substantial carbon emissions and e-waste. Experts emphasize that focusing on critical metal substitution and circuit optimization, rather than solely on plastics, is crucial for mitigating the eco-footprint of these increasingly vital medical devices.
Researchers have developed random heteropolymers (RHPs) that mimic enzyme functions by strategically arranging functional monomers to create protein-like microenvironments. This innovative approach, inspired by metalloprotein active sites, allows for catalysis under non-biological conditions, potentially revolutionizing industrial applications and expanding the possibilities for synthetic enzyme design.
Researchers have created a novel "chiral fermionic valve" that separates electrons based on their chirality using the quantum geometry of topological bands, eliminating the need for magnetic fields. This innovative device, made from single-crystal PdGa, spatially separates chiral currents, demonstrating quantum interference and opening new possibilities for advanced electronic devices.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment