Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over Yemen's future have reached a boiling point. In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the region, Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of threatening its national security, with Riyadh stating it will not hesitate to take "all necessary steps" to neutralise any such threat.
The dispute centres on the UAE's support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist movement that seeks independence from Yemen. The STC has been gaining momentum in recent months, and its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has announced plans to declare independence for southern Yemen. However, Saudi Arabia has long viewed Yemen as its preserve, and the UAE's actions have been seen as a major departure from this stance.
In what appears to be a deliberate provocation, the UAE has sent military vehicles into Hadramaut, the largest governorate in southern Yemen, which is controlled by the STC. The move has led to a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries, with Saudi Arabia applying diplomatic pressure on Abu Dhabi to demand the withdrawal of its forces.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Western governments, including the United States, have shown little desire to criticise the UAE in public. This has led to concerns that the US may be backing away from its traditional role as a mediator in the region.
Experts warn that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the UAE could lead to a wider civil war within southern Yemen, with potentially disastrous consequences for the entire country. The situation also has significant implications for regional stability, with other countries in the Horn of Africa and Sudan taking note of the developments.
At its core, the dispute between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a battle over influence and control in Yemen. However, the stakes have been significantly raised by the involvement of external actors, including Western powers. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this conflict will ultimately play out and what the consequences will be for the region.
The dispute centres on the UAE's support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist movement that seeks independence from Yemen. The STC has been gaining momentum in recent months, and its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has announced plans to declare independence for southern Yemen. However, Saudi Arabia has long viewed Yemen as its preserve, and the UAE's actions have been seen as a major departure from this stance.
In what appears to be a deliberate provocation, the UAE has sent military vehicles into Hadramaut, the largest governorate in southern Yemen, which is controlled by the STC. The move has led to a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries, with Saudi Arabia applying diplomatic pressure on Abu Dhabi to demand the withdrawal of its forces.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Western governments, including the United States, have shown little desire to criticise the UAE in public. This has led to concerns that the US may be backing away from its traditional role as a mediator in the region.
Experts warn that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the UAE could lead to a wider civil war within southern Yemen, with potentially disastrous consequences for the entire country. The situation also has significant implications for regional stability, with other countries in the Horn of Africa and Sudan taking note of the developments.
At its core, the dispute between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a battle over influence and control in Yemen. However, the stakes have been significantly raised by the involvement of external actors, including Western powers. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this conflict will ultimately play out and what the consequences will be for the region.
. Like, can't they all just get along? Saudi Arabia is literally throwing shade at the UAE over Yemen, but I guess that's what happens when you're trying to keep something in your "preserve". Meanwhile, the US is just sitting back and watching, waiting for someone else to make a move... or is it just too lazy to care 
. It's like, we get it, Yemen is complicated, but can't we all just try to find some common ground? The thought of a wider civil war in southern Yemen is just, ugh 
. Can't they see how this is gonna end in disaster? 
...i mean, u can't just sit back & let 1 country bully another 2 into a war 
it's like they're givin the green light for UAE to go wild in southern Yemen 
and if that happens, i fear the worst for yemen & the whole region 
...u can already imagine the devastating consequences of a wider civil war 
... Saudi Arabia & UAE need 2 calm down & talk things out ASAP 
What really gets me is that Yemen is just trying to figure out its own future and we're throwing external powers into the mix. This whole situation is super volatile and could have disastrous consequences for the country and the region as a whole 
... Saudi Arabia and UAE are like two super powerful neighbors fighting over Yemen... It's all very complicated, but basically they're both trying to get control of it, you know? 
I'm literally on edge thinking about these two superpowers going at each other over Yemen 
I mean, come on guys! This is exactly why we need some strong international leadership to keep these superpowers in check