The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing its remaining troops from Yemen following Saudi Arabia’s endorsement of a request for the UAE forces to exit the country within 24 hours. This development marks a significant crisis between the two Gulf nations and major oil-producing countries.
The decision came after a Saudi-led coalition airstrike targeted a shipment of weapons from the UAE to separatist forces in the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla on Tuesday. The airstrike, which occurred in a strategic location along an international trade route, poses new threats to the stability of the Persian Gulf region. Saudi Arabia expressed strong concerns, labeling the Emirati actions as “extremely dangerous.”
The escalating situation in Yemen is intertwined with a prolonged civil war fueled by sectarian tensions and the involvement of regional powers for over a decade.
Key players in the recent conflict include the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, which recently seized control of Hadramout and Mahra provinces, including vital oil installations. The STC aims to restore South Yemen as an independent state, a status it held from 1967 to 1990.
On the other side, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels dominate the populous regions of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. The Yemeni military, aligned with the internationally recognized government, and the Hadramout Tribal Alliance, supported by Saudi Arabia, are also engaged in the ongoing conflict in Hadramout province, a crucial oil-rich area.
The recent clashes have disrupted the fragile peace in Yemen’s protracted war, with the potential for former allies turning against each other in the impoverished nation.
The rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi has strained their unity as they back opposing factions in Yemen’s conflict against the Houthi rebels. Despite their historical cooperation, the two Gulf powers have diverged on various economic and geopolitical issues.
The current developments have bolstered the STC’s positions in southern Yemen, potentially influencing future negotiations to resolve the Yemeni crisis and secure rights for southern Yemen’s self-determination.
The origins of the crisis trace back to the Houthi insurgency in 2014, leading to the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a bid to restore the ousted Yemeni government. The latest clashes highlight the complex dynamics at play as the STC challenges government forces, despite both being part of the broader anti-Houthi coalition.
Recent advancements saw the STC seizing control of key facilities in Hadramout and Mahra provinces, including oil installations, amid tensions with government forces and their tribal allies. The ongoing power struggles have unfolded in various regions, such as Aden and the border areas with Oman, escalating the conflict further.
In response, Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes targeting separatist advances in Hadramout, signaling a warning to halt the expansion into strategic territories.