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UAE-Saudi Tensions Rise Over Yemen Control Risks Conflict

12/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tensions between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia over Yemen have escalated as the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council expands its control in southern Yemen.
A Saudi airstrike on a vessel at Mukalla, which it said was delivering weapons to the STC, deepens the rift.
Observers warn the confrontation could trigger civil conflict in Yemen and affect regional dynamics, with implications for Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

History

Historical Context

The Yemeni Civil War began on March 26, 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi after Houthi rebels ousted him in September 2014. By 2019, over 24 million people required humanitarian aid, reflecting the conflict's devastating impact. Ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen's control threaten regional stability, affecting neighboring countries like Sudan.

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Story summary

Tensions between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia over Yemen have escalated as the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council expands its control in southern Yemen.
A Saudi airstrike on a vessel at Mukalla, which it said was delivering weapons to the STC, deepens the rift.
Observers warn the confrontation could trigger civil conflict in Yemen and affect regional dynamics, with implications for Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

1 / 2