In a dramatic escalation threatening Yemen’s fragile stalemate, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the southern port city of Mukalla on December 30, 2025, targeting a weapons shipment allegedly supplied by the United Arab Emirates to separatist forces. This marks the most direct confrontation yet between the two Gulf powers, risking a full reignition of Yemen’s civil war and broader regional tensions in the Gulf.
The strikes hit cargo at Mukalla port in Hadramout province, which Saudi-led coalition forces described as unauthorized arms and armored vehicles for the Southern Transitional Council (STC)—a UAE-backed separatist group pushing for southern independence. Riyadh viewed the shipment as a threat to its borders and national security, prompting the “limited” operation after warnings to halt STC advances in Hadramout and Mahra provinces.
Hours later, the UAE announced it would voluntarily withdraw its remaining counterterrorism forces from Yemen, rejecting accusations of directing STC military actions while affirming commitment to Saudi security. Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), backed by Saudi Arabia, canceled a defense deal with the UAE and demanded its forces leave within 24 hours.
This rift shatters years of uneasy alliance in the anti-Houthi coalition. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized government, while the UAE has long armed the STC, which controls much of southern Yemen. Recent STC offensives seized key areas, defying Saudi repositioning—including troop withdrawals from Aden—amid a post-2023 truce with the Iran-backed Houthis that had stabilized northern frontlines.
Experts warn the clash could unravel the broader civil war stalemate. “After years of proxy competition, this risks direct confrontation,” said one analyst. The UN has urged de-escalation, noting potential destabilization of the Red Sea and heightened humanitarian needs in a country where millions face hunger.
For U.S. readers, this Yemen escalation complicates Gulf partnerships critical to American interests. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are key allies in countering Iran, energy stability, and Red Sea shipping security—disruptions here could spike oil prices, affect global trade routes, and strain U.S. mediation efforts amid ongoing Houthi threats and regional volatility.
As Gulf stock markets dipped and diplomatic channels buzzed—including U.S. talks with Saudi officials—the situation remains volatile. This Saudi-UAE proxy clash in Yemen highlights deepening fractures, potentially reshaping alliances and reigniting a conflict that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
By Sam Michael
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