Yemen’s decade-long civil war just got even more complicated. The conflict, already a complex web of alliances, has taken a dramatic new turn in the south, where erstwhile partners are now directly clashing. For years, a Saudi-led coalition has supported Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the north. However, recent weeks have seen Saudi warplanes striking southern separatists – the Southern Transitional Council (STC) – who themselves are backed by the United Arab Emirates, a former key Saudi ally in the coalition.
The STC recently made significant moves, seizing territory in Hadramout and Mahra and even announcing plans for an independent South Yemen. This expansion has been a “red line” for Saudi Arabia, leading to direct military intervention. Reports confirm over 100 Saudi airstrikes in Hadramout in a single day, causing casualties and pushing back STC forces from strategic locations like Mukalla.
This clash highlights deep strains between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once united against the Houthis but now competing for regional influence and economic control, particularly in the vital Red Sea area. The UAE, under Saudi pressure, reportedly pulled its forces, but its support for the STC remains a point of contention.
As Saudi-backed forces try to regain control of strategic cities, the situation is fluid. Saudi Arabia has also proposed a conference to bring southern factions together in Riyadh, signaling a diplomatic path amidst the escalating violence. Yemen’s future remains uncertain, with shifting alliances and a conflict now raging not just between government and rebels, but between erstwhile partners.
