UAE-backed forces Yemen have taken control of two crucial eastern governorates, marking a major escalation in Yemen’s ongoing conflict. This move by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), strongly supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), raises serious concerns about national unity and the stability of ongoing peace negotiations.
UAE-Backed Forces Yemen Expand Control in al-Mahra and Hadhramaut
In recent weeks, the UAE-backed STC successfully captured al-Mahra and Hadhramaut, ousting Yemeni army units and Saudi-backed Homeland Shield Forces. The STC also secured strategic border crossings with Oman and Saudi Arabia, key military camps, and government offices. This expansion highlights the growing influence of UAE-backed forces in southern Yemen.
Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, STC chief, warned that Sanaa could be targeted next, emphasizing the council’s commitment to countering Iranian influence and Houthi operations. Analysts note that the UAE’s backing gives the STC significant resources to strengthen its position in Yemen, which increasingly conflicts with Saudi Arabia’s regional strategy.
Saudi Arabia Responds to UAE-Backed Forces Yemen Moves
Saudi Arabia reacted by deploying reinforcements and sending a delegation led by Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Qahtani to encourage dialogue and de-escalation. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi condemned the STC’s actions as a threat to national unity and the political process.
The United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg called for restraint, urging all parties to engage in dialogue to prevent further destabilization. Experts warn that these developments reveal widening rifts between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, complicating peace efforts and prolonging Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.
Impact of UAE-Backed Forces Yemen on Peace and Stability
The rise of UAE-backed forces Yemen underscores the delicate balance of power in the region, where foreign influence intersects with local political and military dynamics. If the STC continues expanding its control, Yemen’s prospects for a unified government could be further compromised, and the humanitarian situation may worsen.
Analysts predict that the actions of UAE-backed forces Yemen will play a decisive role in shaping the political future of southern Yemen and influence peace negotiations across the Arabian Peninsula.
Source: The Media Line
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