Forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates clashed in Yemen last month, marking an unprecedented direct confrontation between the two Gulf powers who have been nominal allies in the country's civil war. The clashes followed offensives launched by the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), a group backed by the UAE, in eastern Yemen. On Friday, the STC declared that a "war" had begun, accusing Saudi-backed ground forces of launching an attack alongside air strikes by the Saudi air force.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has called for Yemen's southern factions to attend a "dialogue" in Riyadh in response to the escalating conflict. In a statement posted to social media, the Saudi ministry urged "a comprehensive conference in Riyadh to bring together all southern factions to discuss just solutions to the southern cause." Riyadh stated that the Yemeni government had issued their approval for the proposed talks.
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have intervened in Yemen's long-running civil war on behalf of the internationally recognized government, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. However, the alliance has fractured, with the two Gulf states now backing different rival groups on the ground. The STC, which seeks independence for southern Yemen, is now pushing to declare a breakaway state.
The conflict in Yemen has its roots in the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, which led to the ousting of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. A power vacuum ensued, and the Houthi movement, a Zaidi Shia Muslim group, seized control of the capital Sanaa in 2014. This prompted a military intervention by a Saudi-led coalition in 2015, aimed at restoring Hadi's government.
The UAE has trained and equipped the STC, viewing them as a bulwark against the Houthis and Islamist groups. Saudi Arabia, while also opposed to the Houthis, has maintained closer ties with the Hadi government. The current clashes highlight the diverging interests of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, and the complex web of alliances and rivalries that characterize the conflict.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Yemen, describing it as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions, and left the country on the brink of famine. The fragmentation of the anti-Houthi coalition further complicates efforts to resolve the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
The proposed talks in Riyadh represent an attempt by Saudi Arabia to de-escalate the situation and find a political solution to the southern question. However, it remains to be seen whether all southern factions will participate and whether a lasting agreement can be reached. The outcome of the talks will likely have significant implications for the future of Yemen and the broader region.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Amidst a shifting media landscape, CBS Evening News is set to premiere a revamped nightly newscast anchored by Tony Dokoupil, guided by five core principles, including an unapologetic declaration of love for America. This move, under the oversight of Bari Weiss, signals a potential shift in the network's approach to news presentation, reflecting broader debates about objectivity and national identity in journalism.
Films garnering awards season attention are breaking cinematic taboos by portraying the complex and often difficult realities of motherhood, sparking global conversations about societal expectations and parental sacrifices. These narratives, reflecting diverse cultural backgrounds, challenge conventional portrayals of mothers and invite international audiences to consider the ethical dilemmas inherent in parenting.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest achieved its highest viewership in four years, drawing over 30 million viewers at its peak during the Times Square ball drop. The program, a long-standing cultural tradition in the United States, continues to dominate New Year's Eve broadcasts, surpassing competing specials from CBS and CNN. This reflects the enduring appeal of large-scale, shared celebratory events in a media landscape increasingly fragmented by streaming and on-demand content.
Andre Gaines' adaptation of Amiri Baraka's "Dutchman" grapples with race and identity in a modern context, yet its fidelity to the source material limits its ability to offer a fresh perspective. While the film incorporates contemporary elements, it struggles to fully realize its potential as an updated interpretation of the influential play.
Researchers have developed random heteropolymers (RHPs) that mimic enzyme functions by strategically arranging monomers to create protein-like microenvironments. This innovative approach, inspired by metalloprotein active sites, enables the RHPs to catalyze reactions under non-biological conditions, demonstrating a novel method for creating robust enzyme mimics with potential applications in various fields.
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 with opposite orbital magnetizations, demonstrating quantum interference and opening new possibilities for advanced electronic devices.
In 2026, expect advancements in small-scale AI models challenging large language models, gene editing clinical trials for rare disorders, and a sample collection mission from Phobos. Changes to US science policy under the Trump administration are also anticipated to have a significant impact on the scientific landscape.
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a bizarre exoplanet, PSR J2322-2650b, challenging existing planetary formation theories with its carbon-rich atmosphere, potential diamond core, and distorted shape caused by the extreme gravity of its neutron star host. This Jupiter-mass world, orbiting in under eight hours, presents a unique opportunity to study planetary evolution under extreme conditions and expands our understanding of the diversity of celestial bodies.
Researchers have identified the ADAMTS2 gene as significantly more active in Alzheimer's patients, regardless of race, suggesting a common biological pathway for the disease. This discovery, stemming from a study focused on African Americans who are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's, offers a promising new avenue for developing targeted treatments.
Atypical deep earthquakes, usually less impactful due to hotter, less brittle rock, can be surprisingly powerful, as demonstrated by a recent Chilean quake; research suggests a unique heat-driven chain reaction accelerated the rupture, challenging existing seismic models and potentially improving future risk assessments. This finding highlights the complex interplay of geological factors in earthquake dynamics, prompting further investigation into deep-seated seismic events and their societal impact.
A recent study from Virginia Tech dispels the myth that the body compensates for increased physical activity by reducing energy expenditure in other areas. Researchers discovered that exercise directly increases total daily calorie burn without triggering metabolic slowdown, confirming the additive benefits of movement. This finding has significant implications for understanding the true impact of exercise on overall energy balance and health.
Amidst escalating tensions following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, President Trump has pledged support for Iranian protesters, prompting a sharp rebuke from Tehran warning against foreign interference. The protests, triggered by economic woes and echoing the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations, highlight internal pressures within Iran and further strain the already volatile relationship between the two nations. The international community is watching closely as these events unfold, mindful of the potential for regional instability.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment