UAE re-engages in Yemen to stop Houthi offensive... Signs of easing conflict with Saudi Arabia

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim A-ram = The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed with Saudi Arabia to re-intervene in the Yemeni civil war in response to the offensive by pro-Iranian rebels Houthis, the British daily Guardian reported on the 17th (local time), citing sources.

According to this agreement, the UAE will resume funding for some pro-government anti-Houthi forces, such as the Giants Brigade in southern Yemen, and Saudi Arabia will provide air cover.

There has been conflict as Saudi Arabia supports the Yemeni government recognized by the international community, and the UAE supports the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist force in southern Yemen.

The 'Giants Brigade' had received training and funding from the UAE in the past, but the UAE withdrew from military operations in Yemen in January and stopped funding.

At the time, STC Chairman Aidarus Al-Zubaidi fled to Abu Dhabi, UAE, after failing to take control of the entire southern part of Yemen and announcing that he would hold a referendum on independence within two years.

In response, Saudi Arabia bombed a UAE arms shipment for STC troops, and the UAE subsequently announced that it would cease all intervention in Yemen's affairs.

In this situation, the Guardian interpreted this agreement between Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a visible sign that the serious conflict between them over the future of Yemen has begun to be resolved.

As the Houthi rebels intensify their offensive throughout Yemen, the leaders of the competing Gulf countries are all feeling a sense of crisis.

In particular, Saudi Arabia is suffering damage as the operations of its airport and some energy infrastructure are paralyzed due to drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels.

However, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not yet revealed their position on the recent independence referendum requested by the STC.

The STC has not previously agreed to allow its troops to fight outside the borders of South Yemen, but this restriction is likely to be lifted if Saudi Arabia explicitly agrees to allow an independence referendum, the Guardian explained.

Recently, the Houthis have laid siege to Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, outside the former border of South Yemen, and are urging government forces and anti-war forces to surrender.

Additionally, on the 16th, they attacked the southern port city of Aden, the temporary capital of the Yemeni government, for two days in a row, and on the 15th, they attacked the presidential palace in Aden, which serves as the de facto capital of Yemen's official government.