Saudi Arabia just bombed its own allies in Yemen. Their airstrikes hammered positions held by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. Attacks focused on southern provinces like Hadramout and al-Mahra, hitting military camps. The strikes killed multiple people, including at least seven in one reported hit, with more casualties likely.
This violence exposes a shattered coalition. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once partners against Houthi rebels. Their split stems from competing goals, with the UAE building up southern separatists seeking independence. Saudi Arabia wants a united Yemen under its influence.
Tensions exploded after the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled before planned talks. Saudi forces then targeted his group's strongholds. The backdrop includes a UAE shipment being bombed by Saudi Arabia last month, accused of carrying arms. The UAE denied this and has since pulled its troops out.
The humanitarian situation, already dire, gets worse. Civilians face new displacement and damaged infrastructure. These clashes between former allies potentially benefit the Houthi rebels, creating a dangerous new phase in the long war. International calls for calm are growing as the region destabilizes further.
This violence exposes a shattered coalition. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once partners against Houthi rebels. Their split stems from competing goals, with the UAE building up southern separatists seeking independence. Saudi Arabia wants a united Yemen under its influence.
Tensions exploded after the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled before planned talks. Saudi forces then targeted his group's strongholds. The backdrop includes a UAE shipment being bombed by Saudi Arabia last month, accused of carrying arms. The UAE denied this and has since pulled its troops out.
The humanitarian situation, already dire, gets worse. Civilians face new displacement and damaged infrastructure. These clashes between former allies potentially benefit the Houthi rebels, creating a dangerous new phase in the long war. International calls for calm are growing as the region destabilizes further.
