All flights to and from Yemen’s Aden International Airport were halted on Thursday as the rivalry between the two Gulf powers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has been deepening and reshaping war-torn Yemen. Several passengers crowded the terminal at the airport, which is the main international gateway for parts of Yemen outside Houthi control, and kept waiting for any updates on their flights. Later on Thursday, Yemeni sources said flights between Aden and all destinations outside the UAE would resume.&nbsp;&nbsp;Air traffic was shut down after a row over curbs on flights to the UAE, though there were contradictory accounts.&nbsp;“We are suffering, and many other patients and elderly people here are waiting in a difficult situation,” said Awadh al-Subaihi, who was waiting for a flight to Cairo for medical treatment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-killed-as-protests-over-high-inflation-economic-woes-turn-violent-in-iran-1767284635163">3 killed as protests over high inflation, economic woes turn violent in Iran</a>&nbsp;The UAE backs the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that seized large parts of southern Yemen from the internationally recognised government last month, but Saudi Arabia, which backs the government, regarded the move as a threat, triggering the biggest crisis between the two Gulf powers in decades.&nbsp;The situation is complex, as the UAE-backed STC controls the transport ministry in the internationally recognised coalition government, whose main leadership is supported by Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-nightclub-gutted-in-fire-was-built-illegally-officials-colluded-with-owners-probe-report-1767278546548">Goa nightclub gutted in fire was built illegally, officials colluded with owners</a><h2> STC-controlled ministry accuses Saudi Arabia of imposing air blockade</h2>&nbsp;The ministry accused Saudi Arabia of imposing an air blockade, saying Riyadh had instituted measures requiring all flights to go via Saudi Arabia for extra checks. Saudi Arabia clarified that the restriction was only on flights between Aden and the UAE.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-shares-new-york-post-editorial-highly-critical-of-putin-signalling-displeasure-1767270412761">Trump shares New York Post editorial highly critical of Putin, signalling displeasure</a>&nbsp;A Saudi source denied any role in restricting the air traffic and said that the Yemeni government had imposed the requirement on flights between Aden and the UAE in order to curb escalating tensions.The Saudi source added that the STC-controlled ministry responded by ordering a full shutdown of air traffic rather than complying with the restrictions on flights to and from the UAE.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-praises-troops-hails-north-korea-s-invincible-alliance-with-russia-1767263998705">Kim Jong-un praises troops, hails North Korea’s ‘invincible alliance’ with Russia</a>&nbsp;Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of pressuring STC to push towards the kingdom’s borders and declared its national security a “red line”, prompting the UAE to say it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen.&nbsp;The Saudi-led coalition forces also launched an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla that the coalition said was a dock used to provide foreign military support to the separatists.

The UAE backs the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that seized large parts of southern Yemen from the internationally recognised government last month, but Saudi Arabia, which backs the government, regarded the move as a threat.

All flights to and from Yemen’s Aden International Airport were halted on Thursday as the rivalry between the two Gulf powers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has been deepening and reshaping war-torn Yemen. Several passengers crowded the terminal at the airport, which is the main international gateway for parts of Yemen outside Houthi control, and kept waiting for any updates on their flights. Later on Thursday, Yemeni sources said flights between Aden and all destinations outside the UAE would resume. Air traffic was shut down after a row over curbs on flights to the UAE, though there were contradictory accounts. “We are suffering, and many other patients and elderly people here are waiting in a difficult situation,” said Awadh al-Subaihi, who was waiting for a flight to Cairo for medical treatment. Also Read: 3 killed as protests over high inflation, economic woes turn violent in Iran The UAE backs the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that seized large parts of southern Yemen from the internationally recognised government last month, but Saudi Arabia, which backs the government, regarded the move as a threat, triggering the biggest crisis between the two Gulf powers in decades. The situation is complex, as the UAE-backed STC controls the transport ministry in the internationally recognised coalition government, whose main leadership is supported by Saudi Arabia. Also Read: Goa nightclub gutted in fire was built illegally, officials colluded with owners STC-controlled ministry accuses Saudi Arabia of imposing air blockade The ministry accused Saudi Arabia of imposing an air blockade, saying Riyadh had instituted measures requiring all flights to go via Saudi Arabia for extra checks. Saudi Arabia clarified that the restriction was only on flights between Aden and the UAE. Also Read: Trump shares New York Post editorial highly critical of Putin, signalling displeasure A Saudi source denied any role in restricting the air traffic and said that the Yemeni government had imposed the requirement on flights between Aden and the UAE in order to curb escalating tensions. The Saudi source added that the STC-controlled ministry responded by ordering a full shutdown of air traffic rather than complying with the restrictions on flights to and from the UAE. Also Read: Kim Jong-un praises troops, hails North Korea’s ‘invincible alliance’ with Russia Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of pressuring STC to push towards the kingdom’s borders and declared its national security a “red line”, prompting the UAE to say it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition forces also launched an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla that the coalition said was a dock used to provide foreign military support to the separatists.

The UAE backs the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that seized large parts of southern Yemen from the internationally recognised government last month, but Saudi Arabia, which backs the government, regarded the move as a threat.

Yemen’s Aden airport air traffic halted amid Saudi-UAE rivalry as rift deepens; passengers stranded

Saudi Arabia has openly criticised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over its military actions in Yemen, calling them a serious threat to its national security. This accusation follows a series of limited airstrikes conducted by the UAE on Yemen’s Mukalla port, a move the UAE says was a misinterpretation of its intentions. The UAE explained that the strikes targeted supplies meant for Emirati forces, not separatists, as some reports suggested.&nbsp;The Saudi Foreign Ministry labeled the UAE's actions as a "dangerous escalation" and stressed that any threat to Saudi security would be met with swift retaliation. The statement followed remarks from Rashad Al Olimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Council, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. Al Olimi accused the UAE of orchestrating military operations that challenge Yemen's central government and exacerbate existing tensions in the region.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-births-fell-lowest-on-record-in-2025-won-t-it-have-enough-people-to-run-its-future-economy-1767093532021">Japan births fell lowest on record in 2025: Won't it have enough people to run its future economy?</a>&nbsp;The Saudi government specifically condemned the UAE's alleged influence over the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist military group backed by the UAE. Saudi officials claim that the UAE is pushing the STC to carry out military operations near the Saudi border, a notion the UAE categorically denied, calling it an "unfounded" accusation.Tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been escalating in Yemen for months. Recently, the UAE-backed STC captured several key regions, including the oil-rich Hadramout province, prompting concerns from Saudi-backed factions about the destabilising effects on their shared fight against Houthi rebels. This has led to calls for the UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen and a formal termination of defense pacts between the two Gulf countries.<h2>US expresses concern over escalating violence</h2>The rift between the two Gulf powers is further complicated by their differing approaches to Yemen’s future. While Saudi Arabia continues to back Yemen's internationally recognised government, the UAE’s support for the STC raises doubts about its long-term intentions, especially as the STC pushes for the secession of southern Yemen. The United States has expressed concern over the escalating violence and urged both sides to engage in dialogue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and avoid further destabilisation in the region.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once close partners in the Yemen conflict, are now facing one of the most significant challenges to their alliance in recent years. Their shared history of military cooperation, including the 2017 blockade of Qatar, now appears strained as they navigate conflicting interests in Yemen. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises, with millions suffering from the effects of prolonged warfare. As the tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE intensify, the future of Yemen remains uncertain, and the risk of further conflict looms large.

Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of escalating tensions in Yemen by supporting separatists and carrying out ‘dangerous’ airstrikes, deepening a rift between allies

Saudi Arabia has openly criticised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over its military actions in Yemen, calling them a serious threat to its national security. This accusation follows a series of limited airstrikes conducted by the UAE on Yemen’s Mukalla port, a move the UAE says was a misinterpretation of its intentions. The UAE explained that the strikes targeted supplies meant for Emirati forces, not separatists, as some reports suggested. The Saudi Foreign Ministry labeled the UAE's actions as a "dangerous escalation" and stressed that any threat to Saudi security would be met with swift retaliation. The statement followed remarks from Rashad Al Olimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Council, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. Al Olimi accused the UAE of orchestrating military operations that challenge Yemen's central government and exacerbate existing tensions in the region. Also Read: Japan births fell lowest on record in 2025: Won't it have enough people to run its future economy? The Saudi government specifically condemned the UAE's alleged influence over the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist military group backed by the UAE. Saudi officials claim that the UAE is pushing the STC to carry out military operations near the Saudi border, a notion the UAE categorically denied, calling it an "unfounded" accusation. Tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been escalating in Yemen for months. Recently, the UAE-backed STC captured several key regions, including the oil-rich Hadramout province, prompting concerns from Saudi-backed factions about the destabilising effects on their shared fight against Houthi rebels. This has led to calls for the UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen and a formal termination of defense pacts between the two Gulf countries. US expresses concern over escalating violence The rift between the two Gulf powers is further complicated by their differing approaches to Yemen’s future. While Saudi Arabia continues to back Yemen's internationally recognised government, the UAE’s support for the STC raises doubts about its long-term intentions, especially as the STC pushes for the secession of southern Yemen. The United States has expressed concern over the escalating violence and urged both sides to engage in dialogue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and avoid further destabilisation in the region. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once close partners in the Yemen conflict, are now facing one of the most significant challenges to their alliance in recent years. Their shared history of military cooperation, including the 2017 blockade of Qatar, now appears strained as they navigate conflicting interests in Yemen. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises, with millions suffering from the effects of prolonged warfare. As the tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE intensify, the future of Yemen remains uncertain, and the risk of further conflict looms large.

Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of escalating tensions in Yemen by supporting separatists and carrying out ‘dangerous’ airstrikes, deepening a rift between allies

Saudi Arabia accuses UAE of escalating tensions in Yemen with 'highly dangerous' military actions

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Yemen’s Aden airport air traffic halted amid Saudi-UAE rivalry as rift deepens; passengers stranded

Saudi Arabia accuses UAE of escalating tensions in Yemen