U.S. Newspaper: Saudi Arabia Restricts Emirati Air Movements and Redraws the Balance of Influence in Yemen and the Red Sea

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

The American newspaper Los Angeles Times has revealed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed restrictions on certain Emirati air and maritime movements, in a step that—according to the paper—aims to limit the use of airspace and vital corridors in support of Abu Dhabi’s influence and its proxies, in parallel with Saudi efforts to reorganize the Yemeni and regional landscapes in line with Riyadh’s strategic priorities.

Air and Maritime Restrictions to Contain Emirati Influence

The newspaper explained that the Saudi measures included tightening restrictions on the UAE’s use of sensitive airspace and maritime routes, as part of a policy designed to reduce Abu Dhabi’s ability to manage or sustain its military and logistical networks, particularly in Yemen and the Red Sea.

Reengineering the Yemeni Landscape

According to the report, Riyadh is working to strengthen its control inside Yemen through multiple tools, including redirecting funding and introducing changes in local leadership, in an attempt to recalibrate the balance of power on the ground, at a time when the Emirati role is witnessing a relative decline in several regional arenas.

Emirati Retreat and Alternative Saudi Alliances

The newspaper noted that Emirati influence is facing a noticeable contraction in countries such as Somalia and Libya, while Saudi Arabia has been actively moving to build new alliances with Egypt, Somalia, and Turkey, as part of a broader strategy to reposition the Kingdom as a more present and influential regional player.

Emirati Defiance and Countermoves

Conversely, the report pointed out that the Saudi restrictions have been met with Emirati determination to continue supporting local proxies and to maintain a military presence and port networks extending from Yemen to the Red Sea and East Africa—moves Riyadh views as a direct challenge to its leadership role in the region.

Cautious Calm in Aden and Anticipation of Escalation

Despite a period of relative calm in the city of Aden in recent weeks—aside from security pursuits and sporadic assassination attempts—the newspaper expects, according to the report, a new wave of escalation in the coming phase, amid intensifying undeclared rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over influence in Yemen and its surrounding regional environment.