A shocking development has unfolded in Yemen, where Saudi warplanes have taken a deadly turn, targeting and killing seven UAE-backed Yemeni separatists. This incident marks a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, raising questions and concerns about the future of the region.
The deaths occurred on Friday, a tragic outcome of a counterattack by Saudi forces against the sweeping advance of the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). This is the first time coalition fire has resulted in fatalities since the STC seized control of vast areas in the Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces last month.
A military spokesperson for the STC described the situation as a "decisive and existential" war against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. They framed the conflict as a battle against radical Islamism, a long-standing concern of the UAE.
The complex dynamics between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen's government-run territories have reached a boiling point. These two oil-rich Gulf powers have historically supported rival factions, but the STC's recent offensive has angered Riyadh and created a tense standoff.
Mohammed Abdulmalik, the head of the STC in Wadi Hadramaot and the Hadramaot desert, reported that seven airstrikes hit the al-Khasah camp, resulting in seven deaths and over 20 injuries. Further strikes targeted other locations in the region.
These air raids followed a "peaceful" campaign launched by pro-Saudi forces to take control of military sites in Hadramout. Salem al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadramout and leader of the province's Saudi-backed local forces, emphasized that this operation was not an act of war or an attempt to escalate tensions. He stated that it aimed to facilitate a peaceful and systematic handover of military sites.
Saudi sources confirmed that the strikes were carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, which includes the UAE and was formed in 2015 to combat the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in northern Yemen. A source close to the Saudi military declared that these strikes would continue until the STC withdrew from the two governorates.
The STC's seizure of much of Hadramout, bordering Saudi Arabia, and the neighboring al-Mahra province last month has further complicated matters. The wealthy Gulf powers, who formed the backbone of the military coalition against the Houthis, now find themselves at odds with each other.
Amr al-Bidh, the foreign affairs representative for the STC, accused Riyadh of misleading the international community by announcing a "peaceful operation" while intending to use force. He pointed to the airstrikes that followed as evidence of their true intentions.
Saudi Arabia has consistently urged the STC to withdraw from the recently conquered territories. However, tensions escalated after the Saudi-led coalition bombed an alleged Emirati weapons shipment on Tuesday, prompting the UAE's defense ministry to announce the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Yemen.
The Yemeni government, a coalition of diverse groups united in their opposition to the Houthis, now faces the possibility of South Yemen declaring independence, a scenario that could deal a severe blow to the already fragile peace negotiations with the Houthis.
On Friday, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed al-Jabir, accused the STC of blocking a Saudi delegation from landing at Aden airport, citing their "intransigence." Additionally, Yemen's STC-controlled transport ministry denounced a Saudi demand for all flights to and from the UAE to make a stop in Saudi Arabia for security checks.
According to Flightradar24, no planes have taken off or landed at Aden airport for over 24 hours, although the ministry has not officially announced its closure.
This complex situation raises many questions and concerns. What are your thoughts on this escalating conflict? Do you think a peaceful resolution is possible, or is this a sign of a more prolonged and intense war? Share your insights and opinions in the comments below!
