Amid the rapidly escalating crisis in Yemen, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for restraint, emphasizing the need for dialogue to safeguard the country's security and stability. This appeal comes as Saudi-backed government forces have retaken areas in eastern Yemen, ousting UAE-backed southern separatists who sought an independence referendum. The situation has sparked a major feud between the two Gulf powers, fracturing the coalition of forces fighting the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The UAE's statement urges Yemenis to prioritize dialogue, a move that follows the STC's announcement of a two-year transition period leading to a referendum on independence for a new South Arabian state. This declaration marks a clear intention to secede, further intensifying the crisis. The crisis began when the STC seized territory, including Hadramout, establishing control over the former state of South Yemen. This sudden move prompted the leadership of the internationally recognized government to depart for Saudi Arabia, which viewed the southern action as a threat to its security. The situation has led to the biggest split in decades between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia bombing a base in Hadramout and requesting the departure of remaining UAE forces, a move the UAE complied with. The crisis threatens to upend the regional order, with both countries set to join an OPEC meeting to determine the group's output policy, potentially revealing the extent of the feud over regional security and its impact on other issues.
