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The capture of the city of Aden by separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates at the expense of the Saudi-backed government is evidence of flaws in the relationship between Saudi and Emirati allies.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have sought to show unity in the crisis, but last week's deadly fighting between their protesters in Aden in the south undermines the common front in the war against the Houthi rebels, backed by the 'Iran.
The Battle of Aden was between units loyal to President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, supported by Riyadh, to separatist forces that want independence from South Yemen, supported by Abu Dhabi. All are, however, theoretically allied against the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa, to the north.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi appealed to the conflicting parties in Aden for " dialogue " and " reason, " according to an Emirati statement. The text also emphasized that Saudi Arabia was " a key pillar for regional security and stability ". But, behind this displayed cohesion, there is above all realpolitik, underline experts.
Diverging objectives
In its war against the Houthis, " Saudi Arabia needs the fighting force of the south " led by the UAE, told AFP Fatima Abo Alasrar, a Yemeni analyst based in Washington. If the Saudis want to win this conflict against the Houthis, " they will have to encourage a ceasefire and reconciliation between the government and the separatists, " he added.
Divisions in southern Yemen are partly the result of diverging goals between Saudis and Emiratis . The UAE has long regarded the south as a vital base for expanding its influence in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. They financed and formed various groups that are now favorable to them. Their big Saudi neighbor sees the Houthis as an existential threat to its southern border.
The UAE's July announcement of a troop reduction in Yemen was a first setback for Riyadh, despite assurances from Abu Dhabi that it was not a complete withdrawal. Now Riyadh needs UAE support more than ever to bring separatists from southern Yemen to the negotiating table.
Calm down after the clashes
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it had invited disputing parties in Aden to talks in the kingdom. But no date has been announced. On the humanitarian front, Mathias Kempf, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reports that calm has returned to Aden for the moment.
" Overall in town, we can say it's very quiet. What happened during the clashes was that everything was blocked, movements, traffic especially for ambulances. There was a big influx, the patients arrived quite late in the hospitals. There were many people, many patients, war wounded arriving at the same time. We could help with extra mattresses just to put people somewhere. We also gave body bags. We can say that, generally, there are no more deaths in the streets. We help hospitals and authorities, institutions here with the management of the dead if they ask us . "
( with AFP )