Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly strengthening ties to realign their strategy against the Houthi movement, as recent military gains by the Iran-backed group threaten key areas along Yemen's western coast and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Guardian newspaper highlighted recent Saudi and Emirati efforts to resolve differences concerning the Yemeni conflict, noting that a reconciliation between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi could foster a more cohesive military front against the Houthis. The British publication stated that Saudi Arabia is seeking to mend its relationship with the UAE as a means to build a stronger military alliance capable of repelling Houthi advances.
This diplomatic rapprochement follows months of strained relations between the two Gulf nations, stemming from developments in southern Yemen and the subsequent de facto withdrawal of Emirati forces. However, recent Houthi territorial gains, including the capture of Mokha port and their proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, have underscored the urgent need for enhanced coordination among anti-Houthi forces, particularly as previously established defensive lines have weakened.
Indicating efforts to bridge the Saudi-Emirati divide, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accompanied by the Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Riyadh. The discussions focused on the evolving situation in Yemen. This meeting followed a gathering in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that included officials from several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia.
The Guardian views these communications as signals that a common ground between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi may be achievable, even amidst ongoing disagreements regarding the future of southern Yemen. The report suggests that the United States is indirectly advocating for the resolution of Saudi-Emirati disputes to facilitate the formation of a unified military command, potentially incorporating diverse forces like the Giants Brigades, to counter the Houthi advances.
The article implies that the restoration of Saudi-Emirati coordination is directly linked to military and security developments on the western coast, aiming to prevent the Houthis from consolidating control over strategic areas that pose a threat to Saudi security and international shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Consequently, the burgeoning Saudi-Emirati alignment is presented as a potential pathway to reorganize the anti-Houthi front by consolidating disparate military capabilities under a more coordinated structure, in response to the Houthis' reinforced presence along the western coast.
These developments occur at a time when the Bab el-Mandeb strait has become a critical component of regional security calculations. Houthi control over parts of the western coast grants them a more influential position regarding international shipping routes. For Riyadh, preventing the entrenchment of Houthi influence along its southern borders and in the Red Sea maritime corridors represents a growing security imperative.
According to the British report, any Saudi-Emirati reconciliation will likely be complex. Nevertheless, the escalating Houthi threat has reignited the necessity of cooperation between the two countries as a crucial step towards rebuilding a more robust front against the Iran-backed group.
