The Guardian reported on October 17, citing Yemeni sources, that the UAE has agreed to rejoin the conflict by resuming funding for some government forces fighting Houthi rebels in the south. In return, Saudi Arabia agreed to expand its air defense system for anti-Houthi forces.
This collaboration is seen as a sign of mending the deep rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the future of Yemen. Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's internationally recognized government, while the UAE has trained and funded separatist forces in the south, one of the most effective fighting forces in a fragmented coalition against the Houthi rebels.
However, the UAE withdrew all its forces and ended all military intervention in Yemen in January of this year, following an unsuccessful attempt by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to seize control of the region and declare a referendum on secession.
This week, separatist forces issued a request for a referendum, but Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have yet to respond. If successful, the borders established between 1967 and 1990 - when Yemen was divided into two separate states in the north and south - would be restored.
According to The Guardian , the STC has not agreed to allow its forces to fight outside the borders of former South Yemen, but a clear agreement from Saudi Arabia to allow a referendum would likely lead to the lifting of that restriction.
Last week, UN-recognized government forces (stationed in Aden) announced a counteroffensive to retake the capital Sanaa from the Houthi rebels, but so far have only made limited progress near Marib and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
UAE officials are reportedly extremely concerned about the conflict. Despite suffering heavy losses, the Houthi rebels are determined to retake Taiz and Marib, the two remaining cities outside the boundaries of former South Yemen. Neither side has commented on The Guardian 's report .
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
