Rashad al-Alimi

Force in Play

Leading Yemen's internationally recognized government from Riyadh

Two former allies just fought a proxy war in Yemen—against each other. Saudi Arabia bombed a UAE arms shipment in January 2026 after UAE-backed separatists seized Aden and Yemen's oil fields. Within a week, Saudi-backed forces crushed the rebellion, forcing the separatist leader to flee. The STC announced dissolution on January 9, but immediately rejected its own announcement, exposing deep fractures between members in Riyadh and those loyal to Abu Dhabi.

Updated Jan 11

Force in Play

Leading Saudi-backed government, declared 90-day emergency, facing rebellion from half his own council

Saudi Arabia bombed a Yemeni port on December 30 to destroy weapons the UAE shipped to separatist forces—forces that were supposed to be on the same side. A roll-on/roll-off vessel named Greenland, flagged out of St. Kitts, disabled its tracking system after leaving Fujairah on December 22 and unloaded combat vehicles and heavy weapons at Mukalla on December 28 for the Southern Transitional Council, which just seized 80% of Yemen's oil reserves. Within hours, Yemen's government declared a 90-day state of emergency, imposed a 72-hour air-sea-land blockade, canceled its defense pact with the UAE, and demanded all Emirati forces leave within 24 hours. The UAE announced voluntary withdrawal by evening. Saudi Arabia called UAE actions an 'extremely dangerous' threat to its national security.

Updated Dec 31, 2025