Friday, January 9, 2026- Saudi‑backed Yemeni government forces have advanced into southern Yemen in a push to seize control of the pivotal city of Aden, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict and highlighting a widening rift with the United Arab Emirates.
Hours after accusing the UAE of aiding the escape of the leader of the UAE‑backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), Saudi‑aligned National Shield Forces moved to secure Aden and other strategic provinces previously held by the STC, declaring the security situation under control as troops and military vehicles flooded the area. This movement comes amid intense fighting that has reshaped control of territory in the region.
The surge follows months of divergence between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over Yemen’s future, with the UAE backing southern separatists pushing for independence and Saudi Arabia supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The STC’s rapid capture of key areas such as Hadramout and al‑Mahra in December triggered the latest crisis, prompting Saudi airstrikes against positions it said were linked to Emirati arms shipments and demands for UAE forces to withdraw. These developments have opened a public feud between two Gulf allies that were once united against Houthi rebels.
The broader impact of the offensive extends beyond territorial gains. With Aden historically serving as the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government after the Houthi takeover of Sana’a, its recapture signals a major shift in power dynamics.
Saudi Arabia has cast the operation as an effort to restore unified governance and prevent fragmentation of the state, while the UAE’s backing of separatist elements underscores competing visions for Yemen’s political future. The tensions are now influencing diplomatic relationships across the Gulf and complicating efforts to resolve Yemen’s multifaceted conflict.
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