Hebrew Analysis: Saudi–Emirati Competition in Yemen Operates Under the American Umbrella

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has revealed that the escalating competition between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over influence in Yemen and the wider region does not take place outside international calculations. Rather—according to the Israeli perspective—it is conducted under a direct American umbrella and in line with the Zionist–American plan to reshape the region.

Israeli Monitoring Without Declared Bias

The analysis quoted Amir Avivi, a former general in the Israeli occupation army and head of the Zionist “Securityists” movement, as saying that the occupation entity shows no desire to tip the balance in favor of either Gulf capital in this conflict, despite its existing strategic relationship with Abu Dhabi.

Avivi explained that the UAE is considered an established ally of “Israel,” but that Saudi Arabia remains—from a Zionist perspective—the most important and influential future partner in the region.

The Conflict Extends Beyond Yemen to Regional Equations

The Israeli general considered that what is happening is not limited to the open confrontation between the two former allies in southern and eastern Yemen, but rather reflects a broader struggle for regional leadership after more than a decade of joint military alliance.

The analysis noted that this competition is being internationally regulated so that it does not spiral out of control or turn into a comprehensive clash, given the consequences such an outcome would have for American and Western interests in the region.

Leadership Vacuum and a Zionist Vision for a Solution

The analysis reveals an Israeli conviction that there is a regional leadership vacuum, which Tel Aviv believes can only be filled through a security partnership led by the United States and “Israel,” with the participation of Saudi Arabia, alongside other regional forces and tools.

According to this vision, Saudi Arabia needs to integrate into a regional security architecture in which “Israel” constitutes one of its main pillars.

Iran, China, and the Limits of Saudi Options

The analysis argues that Riyadh, despite its efforts to avoid a direct confrontation with Iran and its regional axis, realizes at the same time that China—as a rising player in the region—is unable to provide deterrence guarantees or meaningful military support.

Accordingly, Saudi Arabia—according to the Zionist assessment—remains in constant need of a deep, clear, and long-term American military commitment.

Normalization as a Potential Strategic Option

The analysis concludes that Saudi Arabia’s reliance on the United States may ultimately constitute the primary driver pushing it toward normalizing relations with the occupation entity, as part of a new regional security structure.

It concludes by affirming that Saudi–Emirati competition is likely to continue without reaching the point of explosion, as it essentially aligns with the Zionist–American plan to manage conflicts and redistribute influence in the region.