The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have reached a cooperation agreement on Yemen operations, marking a significant shift in their previously strained relationship over the conflict. Under the new arrangement, the UAE will resume financial support to anti-Houthi forces, particularly the Giant Brigades, which have been regarded as among the most effective military units in the coalition opposing Iran-aligned Houthi forces. In exchange, Saudi Arabia has committed to providing aerial support for these operations.
The agreement emerged as both nations grew increasingly concerned about Houthi territorial gains across Yemen. Saudi Arabia has faced mounting pressure from daily drone and missile strikes that have disrupted airport operations and energy infrastructure, while the UAE cited alarm over the militant group’s continued advances as motivation for renewed involvement. The UAE had previously withdrawn from Yemen operations in January, severing its funding to southern forces.
The pact comes amid broader complications in Yemen’s fractured political landscape. Southern separatists have demanded a referendum on secession that would effectively restore Yemen’s 1967-1990 borders as two independent states, a proposal that neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE have formally addressed. The separatist Southern Transition Council leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, remains in Abu Dhabi following a January fallout with Saudi officials, adding another layer of complexity to regional dynamics.
Yemen’s UN-recognized government launched a counteroffensive to reclaim territory from Houthi forces, though initial military operations have achieved limited success. Recent Houthi attacks underscored the ongoing threat, including missile strikes on Aden’s airport and assaults on presidential facilities. Egypt’s leadership announced plans to seek parliamentary authorization for military preparations in support of Saudi Arabia, while the United Kingdom continued evaluating additional military assistance requests, balancing strategic considerations against legal concerns stemming from previous court rulings regarding arms exports during earlier Saudi campaigns in the region.
Current displacement figures exceed 200,000 people according to UN assessments, placing mounting strain on humanitarian organizations operating from Aden.
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