8 months ago
Saudi-UAE Rift Escalates in Yemen
There is a big fight happening in Yemen between different groups.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) support different sides in this fight.
The UAE supports a group called the Southern Transitional Council (STC), while Saudi Arabia supports the official Yemeni government.
Recently, the STC took control of some important areas in Yemen, like oil fields and border crossings.
This made Saudi Arabia upset, and they started bombing some places in Yemen.
The UAE even said they might leave Yemen because of this fight.
All of this is making the situation in Yemen more unstable and could cause bigger problems in the whole region.
It's like when kids in a playground fight over toys, and it starts a bigger argument.
Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes in eastern Yemen targeting what it claimed was a UAE weapons shipment for separatist forces.
The UAE announced it would withdraw its forces from Yemen, adding to the instability.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, seized control of key oil facilities and infrastructure in Hadramout and Mahra provinces.
Saudi Arabia demanded that STC forces withdraw from Hadramout and Mahra, but the STC refused, leading to further confrontation.
The conflict has disrupted the fragile alliance against the Houthi movement and raised concerns about wider regional instability.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Southern Transitional Council (STC), Internationally Recognized Yemeni Government, Houthis
- What
- Escalation of conflict in southern and eastern Yemen due to territorial disputes and military actions
- Where
- Yemen (Aden, Hadramout, Mahra, Mukalla)
- When
- December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026
- Why
- Dispute over control of strategic areas, including oil-rich provinces and key infrastructure, and differing allegiances between Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Key facts
- Location
- Yemen (Aden, Hadramout, Mahra, Mukalla)
- Date
- December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026
- Parties Involved
- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Southern Transitional Council (STC), Internationally Recognized Yemeni Government, Houthis
- Cause of Escalation
- Dispute over control of southern and eastern Yemen, including oil-rich provinces and key infrastructure
- Impact
- Increased instability, potential wider regional conflict, disruption of maritime trade routes
- UAE's Position
- Backs the Southern Transitional Council (STC)
- Saudi Arabia's Position
- Backs the internationally recognized Yemeni government
- STC Leader
- Aidarous al-Zubaidi
- Strategic Areas
- Hadramout (oil facilities), Mahra (border crossing), Aden (presidential palace)
- Recent Developments
- Saudi airstrikes, STC territorial seizures, UAE withdrawal announcement
Timeline
Conflict in West Asia fueled Saudi-UAE tension over Yemeni groups and Aden Airport.
STC seized oil fields, sparking Saudi-UAE clash over Aden's control.
Talks failed, escalating Saudi-UAE row over Aden Airport and Yemeni groups.
Dispute led to Aden International Airport's closure on Thursday.
Aden Airport shut down amid Saudi-UAE disagreement on control and Yemeni support.
Quotes
Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Al-Naqib
Military spokesman for the Southern Transition Council (STC)
“Saudi Arabia is using 'Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda militias' in a 'large-scale attack'.”
firstpost.com
“This time it is under the cover of Saudi aviation operations.”
firstpost.com
Salem al-Khanbashi
Governor of Hadramout and commander of Saudi-led forces in the governorate
“This is a responsible pre-emptive measure to remove weapons and prevent chaos and the camps from being used to undermine the security in Hadramout.”
firstpost.com
“This operation is not a declaration of war and does not seek escalation.”
firstpost.com
Mohammed al-Jaber
Saudi ambassador to Yemen
“The kingdom had tried 'all efforts with STC' for weeks 'to stop the escalation' and to urge the separatists to leave Hadramout and Mahra, only to be faced with 'continued intransigence and rejection from Aidarous al-Zubaidi'.”
firstpost.com
“The latest development was not permitting the Saudi delegation’s jet to land in Aden, despite having agreed on its arrival with some STC leaders to find a solution that serves 'everyone and the public interest'.”
firstpost.com
Sources
Beyond Trending: What is proxy war?
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launches operation against UAE-backed separatists
Yemen’s Aden airport shuts as Saudi-UAE rift deepens
Saudi envoy says leader of Yemen separatist group STC blocked delegation’s Aden landing
Saudi Airstrikes Hit UAE-Backed Separatists In Southern Yemen
Yemen’s Hadramout to launch ‘peaceful operation’ to reclaim military sites, says region’s Saudi-backed governor
Does escalation in Yemen threaten a wider war in the Gulf region?
Yemen’s Aden airport air traffic halted amid Saudi-UAE rivalry as rift deepens; passengers stranded
Saudi Arabia strikes UAE-backed separatists’ camp in Yemen, says official
Yemen’s government launches military operation against UAE-backed STC in Hadramout Province
Yemen’s UAE-backed separatists announce two-year transition towards independence in south
Yemen’s STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years
Yemen’s southern separatists call for path to independence amid fighting over key region
Saudi warplanes hit UAE-backed separatist forces in southern Yemen amid coalition rift - Telegraph India
ISPR monitoring media coverage of UAE-Saudi Arabia tensions in Yemen, says US news outlet
