Yemen on Edge: Saudi-UAE Fallout Fuels Fears of Broader Regional War

• A decade after jointly fighting Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now at odds over Yemen, specifically regarding the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).
• The STC, advocating for Southern Yemen's independence, has seized key territories like Hadramaut, an economic hub with oil/gas resources and a vital border crossing with Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Arabia views the STC's independence push as a direct threat to its national security and regional stability, insisting on Yemen's territorial unity and a negotiated resolution.
• Recent clashes include Saudi airstrikes on STC positions in Hadramout and the UAE's announcement of troop withdrawal, highlighting the escalating tensions between the former allies.
• The deepening rift raises fears of a wider regional conflagration, threatening global shipping lanes, energy supplies, and potentially empowering the Iran-backed Houthis.

Why It Matters: Saudi-UAE fallout in Yemen risks wider regional conflict, demanding dialogue over division.