Relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are deteriorating amid the ongoing war in Yemen. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This situation stems from internal divisions within the Yemeni government and the support of different political-military groups by the two countries. On the night of December 30, the Saudi military aviation struck the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, weapons and armored vehicles brought by the UAE to the port were targeted. Following this, Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, announced the termination of military cooperation with the UAE.
He demanded that Emirati military forces leave the country and accused the UAE of instigating the internal conflict. Saudi Arabia also supported this demand.
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been members of an international coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis. In 2022, the Presidential Leadership Council was established with the aim of regaining control over northern Yemeni territories.
However, the southern forces' increased demand for independence has intensified internal conflicts. While Saudi Arabia relies on secular nationalists, the UAE supports the Southern Transitional Council.
This is related to the UAE's strategic interests in maritime routes. Notably, the ports of Aden and Mukalla, as well as the Bab al-Mandab strait, are under the control of southern forces.
In Hadramaut province, in the autumn of 2025, clashes escalated between the “Al-Hirak” movement supported by the UAE and tribes allied with Saudi Arabia. At the beginning of December, it was reported that “Al-Hirak” launched an offensive and pushed government forces out from the south.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Leadership Council relocated to Riyadh and announced the severance of the alliance with the UAE. An air and sea blockade was imposed on southern Yemen.
Although Saudi Arabia refers to the UAE as a “brotherly state,” it emphasized that supporting separatists is dangerous. The UAE has not yet issued an official comment.
