Newshour UAE says it will withdraw from Yemen
Dec 30, 2025
Join Dr. Elizabeth Kendall, a distinguished Middle East studies expert from the University of Cambridge, as she dissects the complex situation in Yemen. She illuminates the recent tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, sparked by southern Yemen's separatist movements. Hear her insights on the strategic significance of Yemen in regional dynamics and the implications of recent Saudi airstrikes. Kendall also explores whether the Southern Transitional Council can withstand the pressure without UAE support amid rising street protests.
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Yemen As A Regional Proxy War
- Yemen's war is driven by foreign backers as much as domestic factions, reshaping it into a regional proxy conflict.
- Elisabeth Kendall highlights Saudi, UAE and Iran as key external patrons altering Yemen's dynamics.
Witness Account Of Makala Port Bombing
- A local witness described a pre-dawn strike on Mokalla port that shattered windows and terrified families.
- The account illustrated immediate civilian harm from the Saudi-led attack on southern port targets.
Saudi Demand Marks New Escalation
- Saudi Arabia publicly accused the UAE of supplying illicit weapons and demanded a UAE withdrawal within 24 hours.
- Elisabeth Kendall frames this as unprecedented and a major escalation between former coalition partners.