A separatist group in Yemen backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed on Thursday to permit the deployment of Saudi-aligned forces within southern regions captured during a rapid offensive last month. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) confirmed it would coordinate with Riyadh-backed units in the Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces, a move intended to de-escalate a growing “war within a war” between supposed allies. In recent weeks, these separatist forces had seized large swaths of the country, including the strategic port city of Mukalla.
Why it Matters
The friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE threatens to permanently fracture the coalition that entered Yemen in 2015 to oppose Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The contested territories of Hadramout and Al-Mahra are economically and strategically vital; they contain Yemen’s largest oil fields and represent a potential corridor for Saudi oil pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. A total collapse of the alliance would leave the internationally recognized government with control over less than 15 percent of the country, effectively handing the STC and the Houthis control over the nation’s future.
What to Know
Tensions reached a breaking point earlier this week when the Saudi-led coalition conducted airstrikes against what it identified as a shipment of weapons intended for the STC at the port of Mukalla. Following the strikes, the UAE’s Defense Ministry announced it would withdraw its final remaining troops from Yemen, while simultaneously expressing support for Saudi efforts to maintain security in Yemen.
Under the new agreement, the STC will allow the deploy-seized-territories mission to proceed, involving the Saudi-backed National Shield government forces. This redeployment specifically targets areas where the Saudi government has expressed concerns over its own national security, particularly those involving airstrikes and border stability.
What People are Saying
The STC leadership described the move as a necessary step for regional stability, stating they have launched an operation to integrate the southern National Shield forces to protect progress made against Houthi militants. However, a source close to the Saudi government told reporters that simply allowing a partial presence is not enough, suggesting that Riyadh will only be satisfied if the separatists exit the provinces entirely.
The logistical fallout of the rift has already been felt on the ground, as seen when the Aden airport was forced to shut down amid the deepening crisis. Analysts like Farea Al-Muslimi of Chatham House have cautioned that this agreement may be little more than a “face-saving measure” rather than a permanent resolution to the ideological split between the Gulf powers.
What Happens Next
While the agreement may temporarily halt direct clashes between the STC and Saudi-backed forces, the long-term unity of Yemen remains in doubt. The Saudi-led coalition previously urged civilians at the Mukalla port to evacuate during the height of the tension, and the threat of further strikes persists if the STC does not adhere to the withdrawal demands.
With the STC now effectively controlling nearly half of the country—including the commercial hub of Aden and the island of Socotra—the movement toward full independence for South Yemen is gaining momentum. If the coalition against the Houthis cannot reconcile, international observers warn that the broader fight against the rebels in the north will likely stall, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
