Saudi–UAE-backed factions in Yemen’s south enter escalation over political, military Disputes

ADEN, June 18 (YPA) – Tensions between Saudi-aligned factions and UAE-backed forces in southern Yemen have escalated significantly over the past few hours.

On Tuesday, the Saudi-backed Aden government’s representative in the UN Security Council called for the inclusion of Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s head Aidarous al-Zubaidi and his associates on sanctions lists for obstructing the political settlement in Yemen.

This marks the first time the Saudi-aligned government has taken such a step against the UAE-backed STC.

The Saudi-aligned government also moved to announce the confiscation of funds seized by the STC in southern and eastern Yemen over recent years.

In response, STC spokesperson Anwar al-Tamimi warned in a statement that the continuation of such measures “will inevitably lead to confrontation with the southern population,” adding that the group would respond with similar practical steps.

Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matte in Aden said that UAE-aligned factions have entered a state of heightened alert following recent Saudi measures against Abu Dhabi-backed groups, including the reported closure of STC offices in Aden earlier this week.

The sources added that armed leaders affiliated with the UAE in the south of the provinces of Aden, Lahj, and Dhalea demanded that Saudi authorities reverse their recent actions, describing them as targeting “the will of southern people,” while warning that further escalation could intensify tensions across southern and eastern Yemen.

They further suggested that Riyadh may be moving toward curbing UAE influence in these areas after months of shifting power dynamics in the south and east of Yemen.

In recent days, unidentified drone strikes targeted STC-linked military camps in Aden and Lahj, which observers say may signal an escalation in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in southern Yemen.

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