In a dramatic development that threatens to reshape the long-running Yemen conflict, Saudi Arabia has publicly issued a stern warning to separatist forces backed by its coalition partner, the United Arab Emirates. The rare move exposes significant and growing fractures within the alliance fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
Saudi Arabia's Stern Ultimatum
Riyadh has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Emirati-supported separatists from two strategically crucial southern governorates: Hadramout and Mahra. This direct public admonition, issued on December 26, 2025, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two Gulf powerhouses, who have ostensibly been allies in the Yemen war. Saudi authorities urged restraint, cautioning that any further military escalation would risk harming Yemeni civilians, undermining the broader campaign against the Houthis, and triggering what they termed "undesirable consequences."
A Coalition Unraveling
The public warning lays bare the fragile nature of the Saudi-UAE coalition. Analysts see this as a clear sign that strategic interests are diverging, raising the alarming prospect of a new internal confrontation within Yemen's already complex battlefield. As the separatist forces push deeper into the contested southern regions, the Saudi directive aims to curb their advance and reassert Riyadh's vision for Yemen's future, which often clashes with Abu Dhabi's support for southern secessionist groups.
Meanwhile, the Houthi movement, which controls the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, continues to pose a significant threat. The group recently buried senior commanders who were reportedly killed in U.S. airstrikes. Despite the instability, the Houthis persist in their threats to regional shipping in the Red Sea and have been accused of detaining aid workers, further complicating humanitarian efforts in the war-torn nation.
Implications for Regional Stability
The open rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE sends shockwaves through the region's geopolitical landscape. The primary implications are:
- Destabilization of Southern Yemen: A power struggle between Saudi and UAE proxies could plunge the south into renewed chaos.
- Strengthening of the Houthis: Internal fighting within the anti-Houthi bloc could provide a major advantage to the rebel group, allowing them to consolidate power.
- Humanitarian Catastrophe: Any new front in the conflict will inevitably worsen what is already considered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, impacting millions of civilians.
The situation remains fluid and highly volatile. The international community watches with concern as this internal dispute threatens to further fragment Yemen and prolong a conflict with no clear end in sight. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the coalition can mend its fractures or if Yemen is headed toward an even more devastating phase of internal war.
