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, including those in Sudan and the Horn of Africa, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE have often supported opposing factions. The two countries, while nominally 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 the port city of Aden, has repeatedly clashed with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. The Saudis view the potential secession of southern Yemen as a dangerous precedent that could embolden separatist movements within its own borders and undermine its regional influence.
Yemen's conflict, which began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels seized control of the capital Sanaa, has evolved into a complex proxy war involving regional and international powers. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, but the conflict has since devolved into a protracted stalemate, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis.
The UAE's support for the STC reflects its broader strategy of projecting power and influence in the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa. Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in ports and infrastructure in countries such as Eritrea and Somalia, seeking to secure its maritime trade routes and counter the influence of rivals such as Qatar and Turkey.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, views Yemen as part of its strategic backyard and is determined to prevent it from falling under the control of Iran-backed Houthis or other hostile actors. Riyadh has long sought to maintain a stable and unified Yemen that is aligned with its interests.
The current tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE underscore the fragility of the alliance and the competing agendas that are shaping the conflict in Yemen. The dispute could further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the war and could have far-reaching consequences for the region. The international community, including the United Nations, is closely monitoring the situation and urging both countries to de-escalate tensions and work towards a political settlement.
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