How Saudi-UAE rivalry in Yemen could impact already fragile West Asia

The escalating rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen has deepened regional instability across an already fragile West Asia. What began as strategic competition has evolved into direct military confrontation, centred on key ports and resource-rich regions such as Mukalla and Hadhramaut. Yemen’s critical geography, particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking global trade routes, amplifies the conflict’s global implications. The struggle involves multiple actors, including the Houthis, the Southern Transitional Council, and the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council. As Saudi and Emirati interests diverge, the conflict risks disrupting trade, empowering non-state actors, and prolonging instability across the Red Sea region.