Saudi-UAE Clash in Yemen: Mukalla Airstrike Exposes Deep Rift

• Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's Mukalla, accusing the UAE of secretly arming the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which Riyadh views as a national security threat.
• The confrontation highlights divergent strategies: Saudi Arabia seeks a unified Yemen, while the UAE backs the STC to counter Islamist groups and secure maritime routes.
• STC's recent territorial gains in Hadramout and Mahra, including oil installations and border crossings, provoked Riyadh's strong response.
• The UAE denied arming the STC but later announced a "voluntary" withdrawal of its forces, shattering the uneasy balance between the two allies.
• The crisis has wider geopolitical implications, potentially linked to Israel's recognition of Somaliland, and raises questions about the future of Saudi-UAE partnership.

Why It Matters: Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen escalate, revealing a deep rift over conflicting strategies and regional influence.