Chicago – December 30, 2025
Saudi Arabia has intensified its involvement in Yemen’s civil conflict after launching an airstrike on the port city of Mukalla, targeting what it described as shipments of weapons and armored vehicles supplied by the United Arab Emirates to southern separatist forces. The strike the kingdom’s second in less than a week marks a sharp escalation in the growing dispute between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over competing agendas in Yemen.
For the first time, Saudi Arabia openly accused the UAE of backing a military push by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist faction that recently seized control of the key provinces of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra. Both regions had previously been under the authority of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which is supported by Riyadh.
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry criticized the UAE for “pressuring” the STC to launch operations near its southern border, calling the move a direct threat to Saudi national security and to Yemen’s fragile stability. The ministry warned that such actions undermined the core objectives of the Saudi-led coalition, which was formed to restore legitimate governance and curb the influence of Iran-aligned Houthi forces.
Hadhramaut Yemen’s largest and most resource-rich area shares a long border with Saudi Arabia, while al-Mahra lies along the frontier with Oman. Control of these territories holds major strategic and economic significance for both Gulf powers.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE entered Yemen’s war together in 2015 to counter the Houthis, who dominate much of northern Yemen. However, the two allies have increasingly supported rival factions on the ground, leading to recurring tensions and competing interests despite their shared coalition framework.
