What's happened
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen have increased, following recent clashes and conflicting interests. Saudi airstrikes targeted southern separatist camps, while the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council seized oilfields, highlighting a deepening rift in their decade-long alliance over Yemen's future.
What's behind the headline?
The recent escalation in Yemen underscores a fundamental shift in Gulf geopolitics. Saudi Arabia's military strikes against southern separatists reveal its commitment to maintaining central authority, while the UAE's backing of the Southern Transitional Council indicates a strategic move towards regional influence and secessionist ambitions. This divergence is driven by competing visions for Yemen's future and regional dominance.
The conflicting interests threaten the fragile coalition that has sustained Yemen's conflict resolution efforts for a decade. The UAE's withdrawal of counterterrorism teams and support for separatists suggest a long-term strategy to carve out influence zones, especially in resource-rich areas like Hadramawt. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's military actions aim to reassert control and prevent secession, risking further fragmentation.
This rift could prolong Yemen's instability, complicate international efforts for peace, and reshape regional alliances. The Gulf's internal rivalry is likely to intensify, with implications for regional security, shipping lanes in the Red Sea, and broader Middle Eastern geopolitics. The next months will determine whether these tensions lead to open conflict or a new, more divided status quo.
What the papers say
The articles from France 24, The New Arab, and Reuters collectively highlight the evolving Gulf rivalry, with France 24 emphasizing the strategic divergence and recent clashes in Yemen, while The New Arab and Reuters provide detailed timelines of the broader Gulf relationship, including economic and diplomatic shifts. Notably, France 24 points out the mixed messaging and complex alliances within Yemen, illustrating how regional ambitions are fueling ongoing conflict. The contrasting perspectives reveal that, while the Gulf states initially united against common threats, their diverging interests now threaten regional stability. The detailed timelines from Reuters and The New Arab contextualize these developments within a decade of shifting alliances, economic rivalries, and regional power plays, making clear that Yemen is now a focal point of Gulf rivalry rather than cooperation.
How we got here
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE formed a coalition to support Yemen's internationally recognized government against Iran-backed Houthis. Over time, their interests diverged, with the UAE shifting focus to influence through local separatist groups and economic interests, while Saudi Arabia maintained a more direct military approach. Recent events, including the UAE's support for separatists and Saudi strikes, reflect this growing divide amid ongoing regional power struggles.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Saudi Arabia and the UAE Clashing Over Yemen?
Recent clashes between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen have raised questions about regional stability and shifting alliances. As both Gulf powers pursue their own interests, understanding the reasons behind these tensions is crucial. From targeted attacks on oilfields to changing regional alliances, this page explores what’s driving the conflict and what it means for Yemen’s future and the broader Middle East.
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What’s Next for the Middle East Power Struggles?
The Middle East is currently experiencing intense regional tensions, especially between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Recent clashes and conflicting interests in Yemen highlight a deepening rift that could have wider implications. Many are asking: what does this mean for regional stability, and could these conflicts escalate further? Below, we explore the key questions and what experts are saying about the future of the region.
More on these topics
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The Southern Transitional Council is a secessionist organization in Yemen. The 26 members of the STC include the governors of five southern governorates and two government ministers.
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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.