From a clear and unbiased Saudi perspective, what is happening in Yemen is no longer merely a difference of tactics within the Arab coalition, but has transformed into a direct threat to Saudi national security. This threat stems from short-sighted Emirati policies that have contributed to the fragmentation of the anti-Houthi front and created a complex security situation on the Kingdom’s southern border. Saudi Arabia entered Yemen to defend its security and the stability of the region, while the UAE chose a different path, one based on expanding its influence, even at the expense of Yemeni unity and Saudi security.
Since the launch of Operation Decisive Storm in 2015, the Saudi position has been clear: to protect its southern border, prevent the establishment of an Iranian-backed entity on its flank, and maintain a unified and stable Yemen with a legitimate government capable of controlling the territory. This objective was not merely political, but existential and security-related. The Kingdom understands that any power vacuum or chaos in Yemen will directly impact its internal security, whether through missile attacks, arms smuggling, or uncontrolled armed groups.
However, instead of adhering to this shared objective, the UAE opted to build armed forces parallel to the Yemeni state, particularly in the south and coastal regions. These formations, such as the Southern Transitional Council, the Security Belt Forces, and various elite forces, did not submit to the authority of the legitimate government. Instead, they became instruments of internal conflict, opening new fronts that only served the Houthis and Iran. From a Saudi perspective, this systematic dismantling of Yemeni legitimacy weakened the Kingdom’s natural security belt along its southern border.
Even more dangerous is that Emirati policies have contributed to creating a state of security chaos near the Saudi border. When the Yemeni state is weakened and the loyalties of the armed forces are divided, the borders become open to smuggling, infiltration, and the growth of undisciplined armed groups. This is precisely what poses a direct threat to Saudi national security, which depends on a unified Yemeni authority capable of controlling its territory, not warring militias, each with its own agenda.
Furthermore, supporting separatist movements in southern Yemen poses a strategic threat to the Kingdom. Geographically and historically, Saudi Arabia cannot coexist with a fragmented and weak Yemen. The division of Yemen would open the door to endless conflicts, unstable borders, and fragile entities vulnerable to Iranian or international infiltration. Yet, the UAE has pushed for a separatist project, disregarding its repercussions on Saudi security, as if the Kingdom’s stability were a secondary concern compared to its regional ambitions.
The UAE’s role in controlling Yemeni ports and islands, such as Socotra and Mayyun, cannot be overlooked, nor can its sensitive security implications be ignored. The Kingdom views the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait as vital arteries for its national security and economy. Any uncoordinated military presence or influence in these areas, especially if it operates independently of Saudi Arabia’s vision, constitutes a legitimate concern and could become a future point of pressure on the Kingdom’s security and interests.
The events in Aden, Abyan, and Shabwa clearly revealed the extent of the damage caused by Emirati policies. While Saudi Arabia was attempting to unify the Yemeni ranks against the Houthis, the UAE was supporting internal clashes between anti-coup forces. From a Saudi perspective, this behavior can only be described as a deliberate weakening of the Kingdom’s border defenses and an indirect gift to the Houthis, allowing them to focus their attacks on Saudi territory.
Despite this, Saudi Arabia dealt with this reality with great political acumen. It spearheaded dialogue efforts and presented the Riyadh Agreement as a solution to end the chaos and refocus attention on the true enemy. However, the stalled implementation of the agreement and the continued Emirati support for illegitimate forces reinforced the conviction that the UAE does not consider Saudi national security a priority, but rather views Yemen as an sphere of influence to be managed according to its own interests.
In conclusion, from a Saudi perspective, Emirati policies in Yemen were not merely mistakes, but direct actions that harmed the Kingdom’s national security along its southern border. The weakening of the Yemeni state, the encouragement of division, and the creation of militias with multiple loyalties are all strategic threats that cannot be ignored. For Saudi Arabia, Yemen is not a political bargaining chip or an arena for competition, but rather the first line of defense for its security and stability. Any course of action that undermines this security, regardless of its source, will remain unacceptable to Saudi Arabia, as it strikes at the very core of its sovereignty and national security.
