Archive · 3 Jan 2026
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
- When
- December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026
- Where
- Yemen (Aden, Hadramout, Mahra, Mukalla)
- Why
- Dispute over control of strategic areas, including oil-rich provinces and key infrastructure, and differing allegiances between Saudi Arabia and the UAE
- 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
Sources
Yemen’s Aden airport shuts as Saudi-UAE rift deepens
Yemen’s Aden airport air traffic halted amid Saudi-UAE rivalry as rift deepens; passengers stranded
Saudi envoy says leader of Yemen separatist group STC blocked delegation’s Aden landing
Yemen’s Hadramout to launch ‘peaceful operation’ to reclaim military sites, says region’s Saudi-backed governor
Beyond Trending: What is proxy war?
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launches operation against UAE-backed separatists
Saudi Arabia strikes UAE-backed separatists’ camp in Yemen, says official
Does escalation in Yemen threaten a wider war in the Gulf region?
Saudi Airstrikes Hit UAE-Backed Separatists In Southern Yemen
ISPR monitoring media coverage of UAE-Saudi Arabia tensions in Yemen, says US news outlet
Saudi warplanes hit UAE-backed separatist forces in southern Yemen amid coalition rift - Telegraph India
Yemen’s government launches military operation against UAE-backed STC in Hadramout Province
Yemen’s southern separatists call for path to independence amid fighting over key region
Yemen’s STC aims to hold an independence referendum in two years
Yemen’s UAE-backed separatists announce two-year transition towards independence in south
