Emirati Threats Shake Al-Alimi Council and Disrupt the Coalition… Saudi Arabia Angry as Washington Warns of Imminent Clashes
An unprecedented rift within the coalition camp in Yemen, amid escalating Saudi–Emirati tensions and rising indicators of military confrontation in eastern Yemen
NYN | Reports and Analysis
The Yemeni arena is witnessing rapidly unfolding political developments that warn of a potential open conflict within the Saudi-Emirati coalition camp, against the backdrop of Emirati threat messages and political pressure directed at Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the so-called Presidential Leadership Council. This move has been described as an unprecedented escalation in internal disputes.
Direct Emirati Messages Calling on Al-Alimi to Step Aside
This escalation followed a post by Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, on the “X” platform, in which he stated that Al-Alimi’s council “no longer has any real presence on the ground.” He pointed to its inability to hold full meetings, its failure to achieve any military accomplishments, and resignations affecting a number of ministers.
In remarks observers viewed as a direct message of pressure and threat, Abdullah called on Al-Alimi to “exit the political scene with dignity” and leave the southern governorates to what he termed “self-determination.”
Saudi Anger and Warnings Against Imposing a New Reality
On the other hand, statements by Saudi media figures reflected growing dissatisfaction with the moves of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, which Riyadh views as an attempt to “stab legitimacy in the back.”
Saudi journalist Ali Al-Arishi warned in widely circulated posts that the “intransigence of the Transitional Council and its systematic targeting of legitimacy” could push the latter to defend itself “by all available means.” He considered that imposing a new reality by force could lead to serious security repercussions—remarks interpreted as an indirect Saudi message signaling the possibility of confrontation.
Washington Monitors the Approach of a Clash Between the Allies
Internationally, a report issued by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy suggested that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—both U.S. allies—are approaching an open confrontation in Yemen.
Researcher April Longley Alley noted that the control of UAE-aligned forces over the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah during the current month of December represents a fundamental shift in the balance of the conflict, given the two governorates’ strategic, oil, and border significance.
Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah at the Heart of the Regional Conflict
The report explained that tensions in eastern Yemen cannot be separated from escalating regional disagreements between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, including their differing positions on other regional files such as Sudan.
It also revealed high-level U.S. moves to contain the crisis, including a proposal to convene an urgent meeting of Gulf states to ease tensions and lay the groundwork for broader understandings in the long term.
Open Scenarios Toward Escalation
The report warned of the possibility of military confrontations erupting in Wadi Hadramawt between Saudi-backed forces and UAE-backed forces if containment efforts fail. It noted that the leadership of the Southern Transitional Council is aware of the risks of international isolation should it declare secession, but may proceed with such a step if it feels politically cornered with no alternative exit.
Coalition Fracture Opens the Door to Confrontation
These developments reflect an escalation of internal conflict within the coalition engaged in the war on Yemen, placing the country and the region before open-ended scenarios that may begin with clashes between local proxies and could potentially escalate into direct confrontation between the regional powers backing them.
