Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced Saturday it has recaptured the strategic eastern port of Mukalla, reclaiming the capital of Hadramout province from southern separatists.
The government’s rapid advance reverses significant gains made last month by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). The conflict has triggered a rare and public feud between Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, threatening the unified coalition currently fighting Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
In response to the government’s push, STC forces have blocked roads into the southern city of Aden. The group called on international leaders to stop what it described as a "Saudi-backed military escalation," accusing government-aligned factions of targeting civilians and infrastructure.
The rift reached a turning point earlier this week when Saudi Arabia bombed a base in Hadramout and ordered all remaining UAE forces to leave the country. While the UAE complied, it expressed "deep concern" over the rising violence.
The instability cast new doubt on the STC’s plan, announced Friday, to hold an independence referendum within two years. The ongoing crisis has already disrupted regional travel; Aden’s airport remains closed following a dispute over flight restrictions to the UAE, leaving southern Yemen under what the STC calls a "land, sea, and air blockade."
The fallout between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi may have global implications. As both nations prepare for an upcoming OPEC meeting to set oil production policy, analysts are watching to see if their regional security dispute spills over into international energy markets.
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