Saudi Arabian military forces have escalated tensions in Yemen's complex civil war by conducting airstrikes against separatist fighters backed by the United Arab Emirates. The attacks, carried out by Saudi warplanes, targeted positions held by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in southern Yemen on January 2, 2026.
Targeting Former Allies
The airstrikes represent a significant fracture in the coalition that has been fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen for years. The Southern Transitional Council, which seeks an independent southern Yemen, has been a nominal ally of the Saudi-led coalition. However, the group receives substantial support from the UAE, a key Saudi partner that has nonetheless pursued its own strategic interests in southern Yemen.
This military action directly pits Saudi airpower against forces armed and funded by its Gulf partner, highlighting the deepening rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over the future of Yemen. The strikes occurred just days after Associated Press photographs showed STC soldiers manning checkpoints in the port city of Aden on December 31, 2025.
Regional Power Struggle Intensifies
The conflict in Yemen has long been a proxy war, with Saudi Arabia and Iran backing opposing sides. The latest development introduces a new layer of complexity as two major anti-Houthi allies—Saudi Arabia and the UAE—now appear to be in direct confrontation. Analysts suggest this reflects competing visions for post-war Yemen, with Saudi Arabia favoring a unified state and the UAE supporting southern secessionists who control key territories and ports.
The timing of the strikes, at the beginning of the new year, signals a potential shift in Saudi military strategy. It may indicate Riyadh's growing impatience with the STC's autonomous actions and its strengthening ties with the UAE, which has reduced its direct military presence in Yemen but continues to exert influence through local proxies.
Implications for Yemen and Beyond
This escalation threatens to further destabilize southern Yemen, a region already suffering from severe humanitarian crisis, economic collapse, and fragmented governance. Civilians in areas controlled by the STC now face the dual threats of Houthi advances and intra-coalition bombing.
For the international community, particularly Canada which has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation, the fighting between nominal allies complicates diplomatic efforts to broker a nationwide ceasefire. The development underscores how regional rivalries are prolonging one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, with millions of Yemenis facing famine and disease.
The Saudi airstrikes against UAE-backed forces mark a dangerous new chapter in the Yemen war, transforming a multi-sided conflict into an even more volatile struggle where yesterday's allies can become today's targets.
