Yemen's Southern separatists' bold move has pushed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the brink of all-out war. The UAE's backing of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a breakaway faction vying for independence, has reignited tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
The dispute is not just about Yemen but also has implications for regional stability, as both countries have significant economic interests in the Horn of Africa and Sudan. Saudi Arabia views Yemen as its own backyard, having poured billions into the war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2015. However, Riyadh's patience wore thin after the UAE's STC began making rapid gains in southern Yemen.
The crisis escalated when the STC seized control of key cities in Hadramaut and al-Mahra, with Saudi Arabia accusing Abu Dhabi of violating a long-standing non-aggression pact. Riyadh has been applying diplomatic pressure on Abu Dhabi to demand the STC's withdrawal, but so far, the UAE remains resolute.
"This is not just about Yemen; it's about the future of the region," says Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemen and Gulf research fellow at Chatham House. "The conflict reflects fundamental disagreements between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over the future political structure of Yemen and the balance of influence within it."
As tensions simmer, the Houthis are watching with interest, aware that their foes are now turning against each other. Western governments, led by Washington, have been muted in their criticism of the UAE, leaving Saudi Arabia to bear the brunt of international censure.
The stakes are high, with Yemen's future hanging precariously in the balance. One misstep could lead to a wider conflict, drawing in Sudan and exacerbating the already volatile situation in the Horn of Africa. As the situation teeters on the brink of war, one thing is certain: only time will tell who will ultimately prevail in this proxy battle between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The dispute is not just about Yemen but also has implications for regional stability, as both countries have significant economic interests in the Horn of Africa and Sudan. Saudi Arabia views Yemen as its own backyard, having poured billions into the war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2015. However, Riyadh's patience wore thin after the UAE's STC began making rapid gains in southern Yemen.
The crisis escalated when the STC seized control of key cities in Hadramaut and al-Mahra, with Saudi Arabia accusing Abu Dhabi of violating a long-standing non-aggression pact. Riyadh has been applying diplomatic pressure on Abu Dhabi to demand the STC's withdrawal, but so far, the UAE remains resolute.
"This is not just about Yemen; it's about the future of the region," says Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemen and Gulf research fellow at Chatham House. "The conflict reflects fundamental disagreements between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over the future political structure of Yemen and the balance of influence within it."
As tensions simmer, the Houthis are watching with interest, aware that their foes are now turning against each other. Western governments, led by Washington, have been muted in their criticism of the UAE, leaving Saudi Arabia to bear the brunt of international censure.
The stakes are high, with Yemen's future hanging precariously in the balance. One misstep could lead to a wider conflict, drawing in Sudan and exacerbating the already volatile situation in the Horn of Africa. As the situation teeters on the brink of war, one thing is certain: only time will tell who will ultimately prevail in this proxy battle between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
... think I remember a similar drama unfolding back in 2017 when the Houthi rebels took control of Sana'a 
. It's crazy how fast things escalated, almost like déjà vu 
. Anyway, this whole Southern separatists thing is getting out of hand 
. Both Saudi Arabia and UAE are just trying to protect their interests in Yemen, but it's all so... messy 
. I wonder if they'll ever figure out a way to stabilize the country without hurting innocent civilians 
. And don't even get me started on Western governments being all quiet about this – what's going on over there? 
... who's gonna blink first?
Yemen's Southern separatists are at it again... I'm drawing a simple map to illustrate the situation:
. Western governments are keeping quiet, but Saudi Arabia is bearing the brunt of criticism 
. One misstep could lead to a wider conflict, drawing in Sudan and making things even more complicated 
. It's like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded... only time will tell who'll emerge victorious 
.
. What's even scarier is that if this escalates, we could see Sudan and other countries in the region get pulled into it too 
. The thought of all these powerful nations messing with each other over some internal Yemeni conflict gives me major anxiety 
. It's like they're both trying to prove something, even though we all know it's not going to end well 
.
. All I can do is sit back and watch as the situation spirals out of control 
. And can we talk about how messed up it is that Saudi Arabia & UAE are going at each other? Like, who gets to decide what happens in Yemen?! 
It's not just about Yemen tho, this has huge implications for the Horn of Africa and Sudan... let's keep an eye on it 
. I mean I know Saudi Arabia thinks they're just trying to protect their interests, but come on, that's just gonna lead to more problems 
. Fingers crossed for peaceful resolution! 
. and what about sudan? that's just gonna be a whole 'nother can of worms 
. one thing's for sure, only time will tell who comes out on top in this proxy battle... but i'm rooting for the stc separatists – they sound like the underdogs here 
.
... think about it, both countries are backing different groups, but what's their end goal? Is it just about Yemen or is it a broader regional power play? 
I'm not sure who to trust right now... Saudi Arabia seems super invested in Yemen, but Abu Dhabi has some big economic interests too. Can't help but feel like this proxy war could easily spill over into other countries 
. and of course, the Houthis are over here like "meh, let them fight each other while I'm over here getting my rebel on" 
. meanwhile, the west is just sitting on the sidelines, too afraid to rock the boat 
. i mean, come on, someone needs to tell these guys that they're playing with fire 
... but who's gonna do it? 
It's not just about Saudi Arabia and UAE, it's about the whole region being thrown into chaos 
The international community needs to step in and say something before it's too late 
. Or is everyone just too busy playing their own little game of geopolitics 
?
#NoToWar #YemenDeservesPeace
