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THE United Arab Emirates has expressed deep concern over the intensifying crisis in Yemen, following a swift advance by Saudi-backed government forces into territories recently seized by UAE-supported southern separatists.
Reuters reported on Saturday the escalation has exposed a rift between the two Gulf powers and threatens to fracture the coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
The UAE issued a statement urging Yemenis to exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue to safeguard security and stability.
The remarks came hours after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared its intention to hold a referendum on independence within two years, following the loss of key territories it had captured only last month.
Saudi-backed forces announced on Friday that they had regained control of strategic locations in Hadramout, a vast province bordering Saudi Arabia, and witnesses reported that troops had entered parts of Mukalla, the regional capital, on Saturday.
Yemen, divided for over a decade by warring factions, occupies a strategic position between Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime route connecting Europe and Asia.
The STC, historically part of the internationally recognised government that administers southern and eastern Yemen and supported by Gulf states against the Houthis, seized wide swathes of territory early last month.
The move established its authority over the area corresponding to the former state of South Yemen, which merged with the north in 1990.
Overnight, Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, stated that he had requested Saudi Arabia to host a forum aimed at resolving the southern issue.
“I hope this will bring all southern factions together,” he said, signalling an attempt at reconciliation amid rising tensions.
The recent developments mark the most significant rupture in decades between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, long-time allies whose diverging positions on regional security have come to a head.
The feud threatens broader instability in the Gulf and may influence decisions at an upcoming OPEC meeting, where both countries will discuss the group’s oil output policy.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia bombed a base in Hadramout and demanded the withdrawal of all remaining UAE forces from Yemen, branding the southern territorial takeover a red line for its national security. The UAE complied with the directive.
The STC’s announcement that it seeks a two-year transitional period leading to a referendum for a new South Arabian state marks its clearest declaration yet of secessionist intentions. - January 3, 2025