Riyadh Changes Its Rhetoric on Yemen: From Leading the War to Claiming “Protection of Sovereignty” Against Abu Dhabi
After the escalation of disputes with the UAE, Saudi Arabia rebrands its role in Yemen and presents itself as a bulwark against the “Emirati project”
NYN | Reports and Analyses
In a notable shift in political and media rhetoric, Saudi Arabia— which has led the military coalition in Yemen for years—has begun portraying itself as a defender of Yemen and its sovereignty against what it describes as “Emirati expansion.” This comes after relations moved from unannounced disagreements to direct conflict between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over influence inside Yemeni territory.
Despite the central role played by the Saudi-Emirati coalition in the destruction of Yemen’s infrastructure, and the continuation of the blockade and military interventions in cities and areas under its control, the Saudi media apparatus has recently intensified a new discourse aimed at reshaping Riyadh’s image as a “protector of Yemen” in the face of what it considers an Emirati project separate from the coalition’s declared objectives.
Recycling the Political Narrative
The new Saudi narrative goes even further by portraying the UAE as part of an American-Zionist project targeting Yemen and its unity, in an attempt to distance Riyadh from its direct responsibility as one of the main pillars of the coalition, its primary financier, and the holder of military and political decision-making power over the course of the war.
Exposed Contradictions
Observers believe that this shift reflects a state of political and media confusion in Riyadh amid the escalating competition with Abu Dhabi for influence in the southern and eastern governorates. They stress that portraying Saudi Arabia as a “rescuer” contradicts its military and political record throughout the years of war, which has made it a key partner in the suffering of Yemenis.
This new rhetoric emerges at a time when coalition disputes are coming into the open, amid growing questions about the future of Saudi-Emirati influence in Yemen and the implications of this conflict for the country’s military and political landscape.
