Attempt to reconcile priorities of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates in war-torn Yemen

(Patria) – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have acted together to prevent an escalation of the conflict in Yemen between their proxy military forces in the country.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government was ousted last month from key areas in the south by UAE-backed separatists, increasing tensions between the two Middle Eastern powers that are simultaneously engaged in a joint campaign against Iran-linked Houthi rebels.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE issued a joint statement on Sunday stating that they 'continue to support the legitimate government of Yemen,' and called on the warring parties to immediately halt 'all military operations and media propaganda' that fuels the conflict.

The dispute in the south began after the UAE announced two months ago that it would unilaterally withdraw troops from Yemen after more than 4 years of fighting, leaving its main coalition partner Saudi Arabia to continue the war against the Houthis together with the Yemeni government army.

In mid-August, the Southern Separatist movement – the Southern Transitional Council (STC) backed by the UAE, took control of Aden, pushing back forces supported by Saudi Arabia and led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Although living in exile after being ousted by the Houthis in 2014, Hadi is recognized by the UN as the legitimate ruler of Yemen. Saudi Arabia threatened to respond decisively against the STC to restore Hadi to power.

The STC has long advocated for the restoration of independence for South Yemen or at least a federal structure for the country that was unified in 1990, writes the Guardian.

Even after the unification of the country in May 1990, the deep division between the former North and South Yemen has not been overcome. Several forces are fighting in the country, including the official authorities.

The armed conflict prevents the UN from starting negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthis who control the capital Sana'a and the north of the country.

Different interests regarding southern Yemen threaten the otherwise close relations between the two monarchies.

Saudi Arabia planned to weaken the Houthis in the north, fearing Iran's presence on its own border, while the UAE's strategic priority is to prevent the port of Aden from falling under Houthi control, which would threaten transport lines leading through Bab al-Mandab, on which the Emirates heavily depend.

The STC's predominance in the south could allow the Emirates to achieve their goal, but at the cost of dividing the country into two parts, writes the Guardian.

Yemen occupies a strategically important position at the tip of southwestern Arabia. It lies along the main sea route from Europe to Asia, near the busiest shipping line.

Millions of barrels of oil pass daily in both directions, to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and from oil refineries in Saudi Arabia to the Asian market. In the last century, the port of Aden was one of the busiest in the world.