Saudi Arabia has officially called on Emirati-backed separatists in Yemen to withdraw from two governorates currently under their control. This request, made on December 25, 2023, threatens to escalate tensions within a fragile coalition engaged in the ongoing conflict against the Houthi rebels. The statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry aims to apply public pressure on the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has received backing from the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi government has supported various factions in Yemen, notably the National Shield Forces, in the fight against the Iranian-backed Houthis since the conflict escalated in 2015. The Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni groups, urging restraint to avoid actions that could destabilize security. “The kingdom stresses the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni factions and components to exercise restraint and avoid any measures that could destabilize security and stability, which may result in undesirable consequences,” the statement read.
The STC has recently established a presence in the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra. Saudi Arabia’s statement indicated ongoing mediation efforts aimed at returning the council’s forces to their previous positions outside these areas and handing control of military camps to the National Shield Forces. The ministry noted that these efforts are essential to restore stability.
The STC has increasingly embraced symbols of South Yemen, which functioned as an independent state from 1967 until its unification with North Yemen in 1990. Following the Saudi announcement, there were calls for demonstrations in Aden in support of political forces advocating for South Yemen’s secession. The outcome of these planned protests remains uncertain. Aden serves as a pivotal base for factions opposing the Houthis.
This latest development has strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which are key players in the OPEC oil cartel. While they maintain close ties, competition for influence in the region has intensified in recent years. The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since September 2014, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. Despite Iran’s denial of providing arms to the rebels, evidence of Iranian-manufactured weapons has surfaced on the battlefield and in shipments directed towards Yemen.
The conflict has escalated significantly since a Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, armed with U.S. weaponry and intelligence. Years of fighting have pushed Yemen to the brink of famine, with the war resulting in over 150,000 deaths, including both combatants and civilians. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis has led to the deaths of tens of thousands more.
In recent months, the Houthis have launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, capitalizing on the chaos stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Although shipping traffic has slightly increased, many vessels are opting to navigate around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The possibility of further instability in Yemen could once again engage the United States, which previously conducted extensive airstrikes against the Houthis. Earlier this year, the Biden administration executed targeted strikes, including missions employing B-2 bombers against what it identified as Houthi underground bunkers.
As the situation unfolds, the Houthis continue to pose threats to Saudi Arabia and have detained dozens of personnel from UN agencies and other aid organizations, accusing them of espionage—a claim vehemently denied by the United Nations and other involved parties. The dynamics in Yemen remain precarious, with the potential for increased conflict and humanitarian repercussions.
