Yemen Strike Exposes Deep Rift Between Saudi Arabia and UAE Over Regional Strategy

A recent Saudi-led coalition airstrike on the Yemeni port of Mukalla has laid bare intensifying tensions between two of the Gulf’s most prominent powers — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — exposing long-standing distrust that now threatens to reshape regional cooperation and influence.

The strike, which targeted what Riyadh described as a shipment linked to UAE-backed separatist forces in southern Yemen, prompted the UAE to announce the withdrawal of its remaining military personnel from the country. The move marked a significant escalation in discord between partners that once fought together as part of a Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. 

From Cooperation to Conflict in Yemen

The crisis stems from a surprise offensive by UAE-aligned Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces earlier in December, which seized large areas of southern Yemen including the strategic Hadramout and Al-Mahrah provinces. These advances — close to Saudi Arabia’s border — were seen in Riyadh as a direct threat to its security, even though the STC had previously been part of the anti-Houthi coalition. 

Saudi Arabia’s leadership responded with an airstrike against the port of Mukalla, claiming it targeted a shipment tied to the STC and linked to the UAE. The UAE, however, expressed surprise at the operation, asserting that the shipment did not contain weapons and was intended for its own forces. Abu Dhabi also denied directing any Yemeni group to act against Saudi interests, and called for de-escalation while preserving coordination and regional stability.

The aftermath of the strike saw Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council — backed by Saudi Arabia — cancel its defence pact with the UAE and demand Emirati forces leave Yemen within 24 hours. Saudi officials insisted that threats to their national security were a “red line,” vowing decisive action to neutralise risks they perceive from outside influence. 

Analysts point out that this rupture is not merely about control of territory in Yemen but reflects deeper strategic divergences between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. While both states historically aligned against Iranian influence in the region, they have increasingly differed on issues ranging from oil policy and quotas to approaches in conflicts such as Yemen and Sudan. A Gulf source familiar with Saudi thinking even suggested misunderstandings over discussions involving third parties contributed to the escalations — a sign of how mistrust now shadows high-level engagement. 

Relations between the two nations are widely regarded as strained at their most intense in years. Experts warn that continuing friction could undermine broader Gulf cooperation, including coordination within frameworks like OPEC+, where consensus on oil output decisions is crucial for regional economies. 

Beyond Yemen, the discord threatens to weaken the narrative of unity that Gulf states have sought to project in response to shared regional challenges. The UAE’s decision to end its Yemen mission and shift its military posture signals a reassessment of its involvement in protracted conflicts, even as Saudi Arabia underscores its security priorities. 

Observers note that while past Gulf disputes — such as the 2017 diplomatic boycott of Qatar — have tested regional alliances, today’s rift involves fundamental strategic interests rather than diplomatic disagreements, making it potentially harder to resolve. The danger, experts say, is that unresolved mistrust could spill into other theatres, complicate coordination on economic and security issues, and dilute the Gulf’s influence on wider Middle East affairs.

The Yemen strike and its fallout have brought a simmering problem into sharp focus: the deepening distrust between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. What began as cooperation against common threats has shifted to mutual suspicion, divergent strategic priorities, and a potential reordering of alliances. As both nations reassess their roles in Yemen and beyond, the incident underscores how fragile Gulf unity has become — and how influential these dynamics will be for Middle Eastern geopolitics in 2026 and beyond.