Withdrawals and Redeployment… What are Saudi Arabia’s options in Yemen’s southern and eastern Provinces?
SANAA, Dec. 09 (YPA) – Yemen’s southeastern provinces are witnessing significant military shifts, as Saudi Arabia withdraws all its armed factions from these areas toward Hadramawt province, which recently fell to UAE-aligned forces.
These movements coincided with consecutive withdrawals from Aden and the evacuation of all its military personnel from the city, raising questions about Riyadh’s motives and its upcoming strategic options in Yemen’s southern and eastern governorates.
Despite talk of a potential Saudi scenario aimed at curbing the influence of the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), the course of events shows a contradictory direction. The regrouping of Saudi-backed ” Dera Al-Watan” forces in Hadramout is inconsistent with the goal of defeating the STC; instead, it appears to be a step aimed at securing the Saudi border depth.
These movements suggest that Riyadh is seeking to establish a buffer zone to reinforce the deployment of its loyal forces along its southeastern border and keep the STC forces away from sensitive contact areas, without entering into direct confrontation with the Emirati-backed powers in those regions.
Itt can be said that the recent field movements reflect a Saudi trend toward drawing a new influence map in southern and eastern Yemen, through calculated withdrawals and deliberate redeployment toward areas considered of utmost security priority for Riyadh—while maintaining the STC control over these provinces.
Observers see this step as part of undisclosed understandings between Saudi Arabia and the UAE regarding managing the situation in these provinces and an attempt to prepare them for secession from northern Yemen in the future.
Signs of a Major Economic Collapse
Based on remarks made by Rashad Al-Alimi, the Head of “Presidential Leadership Council,” from Riyadh—in which he warned of serious economic and livelihood repercussions—it appears that the citizens in these areas will be the biggest victims.
Al-Alimi’s remarks confirm that Saudi Arabia, which is providing nothing, will in the future push toward economic collapse in these governorates.
This will be reinforced by the corruption of the STC and the UAE, whose primary concern is focused on controlling these areas, exploiting their resources, and implementing the agendas of major powers, primarily the United States and “Israel,” aimed at tearing Yemen apart. This fits within a plan to dismantle the region and ensure “Israel’s” supremacy.
@E.Y.M