UAE-Saudi Arabia contestation in Yemen conflict

The Yemeni conflict remains unresolved. The feud between the Yemeni government-backed Hadramawt Tribal Alliance and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) continues to escalate. The power struggle between the two is escalating in Hadramawt province, East Yemen. The Southern Transitional Council is demanding the separation of South Yemen from North Yemen. Moreover, the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance, established in 2013, is seeking autonomy for its province to safeguard its sovereignty and resources, and is rejecting external forces.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, and the Southern Transitional Council is deploying military support led by General Saleh Ali bin Sheikh Abu Bakr, also known as Abu Ali al-Hadrami. This has transformed the conflict, which initially revolved around territorial and oil issues, into a power struggle. This conflict is essentially an attempt by the Southern Transitional Council to control Hadramawt province, while the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance rejects this move. This is especially true given that the province is one of the richest in Yemen, with its abundant oil resources. To this end, the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance is attempting to maintain and seize control over provincial affairs, autonomy, and the utilisation of its resources.

Negotiations between the two parties

The Southern Transitional Council continues to employ various strategies and efforts to control Hadramawt province, East Yemen. However, they lack popular support in Hadramawt. This makes it difficult for them to control the province. Therefore, they are seeking external support and assistance to implement their decisions.

Negotiations between the two parties have not shown any positive signs. If left unchecked, tensions between the two sides will continue. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is attempting to mediate a peace settlement. Through the Hadramawt Mediation Committee, supervised by a Saudi Arabian Special Committee, a ceasefire was signed on 3rd December 2025, in Mukalla City, Hadramawt Province.

In this situation, the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance, led by Amr bin Habrish, is attempting to adhere to the agreement reached between the two warring parties. The agreement stipulates a de-escalation of the escalating conflict and a ceasefire. The agreement also stipulates that elite troops can withdraw 3 kilometres from their locations and prohibits the sending of military aid to either side.

These efforts are a breath of fresh air for both sides to de-escalate tensions. However, the conflict will continue to rage as long as they fail to reach an agreement on terms. Furthermore, the oil issue is a key driver of the conflict. Sooner or later, the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance, supported by the Yemeni government, or the Southern Transitional Council, will emerge victorious. Both sides must accept the agreed-upon consequences. Otherwise, the conflict will continue to rage without a definitive end.

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Serious concern

The Yemeni conflict is a serious concern for the United Nations (UN). Through the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, he visited Riyadh and met with Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya al-Zindani, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed al-Zaabi, representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and other diplomats.

The meeting also emphasized the need for the warring parties to de-escalate the conflict through diplomatic channels. This is to support security stability and safeguard the interests of the Yemeni people. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany also urged both warring parties to exercise restraint and fully support security and stability in Yemen. The European Union also supports the Yemeni government in improving its security. Furthermore, the death toll from both sides is unavoidable, with approximately 32 soldiers and 45 others injured. This number will undoubtedly continue to rise if both sides persist in the conflict. Civilian casualties are also highly likely if the conflict escalates and has a dangerous impact on Yemen.

In this regard, the Yemeni conflict has not yet received priority international attention. Nevertheless, efforts towards peace, with various provisions and conditions, must be adhered to by both parties. This conflict is not solely a domestic issue in Yemen but also involves the intervention of Middle Eastern countries to mitigate the conflict. In response, Indonesia, as a predominantly Muslim country, must play an active role in mitigating the Yemeni conflict. Furthermore, relations between Indonesia and Yemen have been harmonious. The ties between the Habaib of Hadramaut, Yemen, and Indonesia are particularly strong. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should respond to this situation by engaging with relevant parties, particularly Arab countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations.

Ultimately, the feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen stems from their respective interests in gaining an advantage in the Yemeni war. Each has allies, and they serve as extensions of their interests in Yemen. Both the Saudi Arabian Security Council (STC) and the Yemeni government military are seeking to secure their own interests: oil in the Hadramawt region of Yemen. This is also what fuels the ongoing feud, with no common ground yet found between the two.

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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.