Forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates engaged in direct confrontation in Yemen last month, marking a significant escalation in the country's ongoing civil war and threatening its potential partition. The clashes followed offensives launched by the separatist Southern Transitional Council's (STC) forces in eastern Yemen.
The fracturing of the Saudi-UAE alliance, which had previously supported Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, has resulted in the two Gulf powers backing opposing factions on the ground. The STC, supported by the UAE, is now pushing for the independence of a breakaway state in southern Yemen.
On Friday, the UAE-backed forces declared that a "war" had begun, accusing Saudi-backed ground forces of launching an attack in conjunction with Saudi air force strikes. The accusations highlight the deepening rift between the former allies.
Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when the Houthi movement seized control of much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. The conflict has since plunged the already impoverished nation into a humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread violence, displacement, and a severe hunger crisis. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Yemen faces one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.
The Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE, intervened in Yemen in 2015 with the stated aim of restoring the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. However, the intervention has been widely criticized for exacerbating the conflict and contributing to civilian casualties.
The current clashes between Saudi- and UAE-backed forces add a new layer of complexity to the already multifaceted conflict. The potential for a breakaway state in southern Yemen raises concerns about the country's future territorial integrity and stability. The situation also presents a challenge to international efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to the war.
Analysts suggest the evolving dynamics could further embolden the Houthi rebels, potentially prolonging the conflict and deepening the humanitarian crisis. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for de-escalation and a renewed focus on finding a political solution to the Yemeni conflict.
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