Tensions within the Gulf coalition have significantly hindered efforts to counter the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, contributing to ongoing instability in the region. The conflict, which began in 2014, has seen Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who control large portions of the country, including key population centers.
In 2017, observers noted the presence of separatist forces loyal to the former South Yemen republic operating in Aden, signaling fractures within the anti-Houthi coalition. The southern separatists, backed by the UAE, have often clashed with Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia, diverting attention and resources away from the primary fight against the Houthis. These internal divisions have complicated the coalition’s military strategy and coherence, undermining unified action.
The situation deteriorated further recently when the Houthis launched missile attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, hitting a strategic hub in Saudi Arabia. Visuals of pilgrims falling during the attack circulated widely, underscoring the symbolic and human impact of the conflict beyond Yemen’s borders. Despite the coalition’s advanced military hardware, including aircraft such as F-15s and Typhoons supplied by the United States, the group controlling about one-third of Yemen’s territory and the majority of its population has proven resilient.
Yemen's strategic location near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden—has long attracted foreign interest. Iran supports the Houthis as part of its broader regional agenda against the United States and Israel, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia aim to maintain control over maritime routes and counter Islamist threats that challenge their governance models.
The gulf between Saudi Arabia and the UAE leadership has intensified over disagreements concerning the future political framework for Yemen, the role of Islamist factions, and autonomy demands from southern separatists. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, once aligned, have since contested their respective roles and influence, complicating cooperation.
The United States' role remains ambiguous and inconsistent. Since the conflict began during Barack Obama’s presidency, US policy has oscillated between military support and calls for withdrawal. While the Biden administration facilitated a ceasefire in 2022, it has not secured a permanent resolution. The absence of US ambassadors in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi reflects broader uncertainties about American priorities in the region.
With neither the coalition nor the Houthis able to force a decisive outcome, Yemen remains mired in conflict, exacerbating humanitarian crises that have already caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread famine. Analysts suggest that until regional issues—such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Gulf security—are addressed, a lasting peace in Yemen will remain elusive.