Author: Худайбердиев, Азиз Хелямович

Annotation: Since 2014, the conflict in Yemen has emerged as one of the most complex geopolitical crises in the Middle East. The interests of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—initially aligned within the Arab coalition fighting the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement—have gradually diverged. Saudi Arabia prioritized preserving the territorial integrity of a weakened Yemen and securing its own borders, whereas the UAE increasingly supported separatist forces, particularly the Southern Transitional Council (STC). This article examines the evolution of Saudi and Emirati policies in Yemen, focusing on the rise of separatism in the south. It argues that the divergence in views between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi transformed the situation in Yemen from a proxy conflict against the Houthis into a broader regional rivalry for influence over the Red Sea and the southern Arabian Peninsula. The article draws on recent reports from international organizations, think tanks, Reuters, Al Jazeera, the Sana'a Center, and other analytical sources.

Keywords: Southern Transitional Council (al-Majlis al-Intiqali al-Janubi), Aidarus al-Zubaidi, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Bab-el-Mandeb, internationally recognized government, Ansar Allah, Islah party.

Pages in journal: 70 - 77