🔗 Read the full investigation here: raseef22.net/article/1101... 🧵 5/5

Such important work on Yemen by Mohammed Hafeez.

On this day 15 years ago in Sana’a, Yemen. 27 January 2011. The start of what was to be a very long year of witnessing history unravelling.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the STC’s failed Southern Arabia ambitions have been replaced by southern Yemen being more aptly named: Southern Saudi Arabia. The kingdom now controls the government, the military and all entry and exit. Annexation is a strong word but it’s not far off the mark

The fallout from the Saudi-UAE confrontation that began in Yemen is now playing out in Sudan: 'Journalist Eiad Husham reports...“UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has increased” following recent developments in Yemen and is “expected to reach unprecedented levels in the coming weeks.”'

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Even the UAE’s football club is getting humiliated. Can’t blame the Saudis for this one…

MbS is now going after the UAE’s gold supply chain. The KSA-UAE confrontation was already well beyond ‘Gulf tensions’ but this is the next level.

Annual review of Yemen airstrikes. In 2025 @yemendataproject.org recorded: ⚠️Highest number of civilian casualties since 2022 ⚠️US responsible for >50% of 1,334 civilian casualties ⚠️Highest child death toll since 2020 ⚠️Israeli strikes resulted in highest ever rate of civilian harm 👉 t.co/MV8uEQO33E

🆕 Saudi Arabia is finalizing talks w/ Somalia & Egypt on a new military coalition aimed at boosting Red Sea security & countering the UAE’s growing regional... ...Read Drop Site’s report from @ionacraig.com linked in reply Additional analysis from @criticalthreats.bsky.social Africa lead is below.

Drop Site’s Ryan Grim joined The Young Turks to discuss the latest at Drop Site News, including our reporting on Epstein’s connections with Israeli intelligence. In this clip, he discusses our latest report from Iona Craig, who details how Saudi Arabia has rapidly consolidated power in southern...

How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours By Iona Craig (@ionacraig.com) www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...

Such a good story by @ionacraig.com on the UAE getting driven out of Yemen by Saudi Arabia: "We went to Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah with a large force and high-end equipment…and returned on buses.”

“An Emirati ‘exit’ in uniform does not necessarily mean an exit in influence,” he said. “If Abu Dhabi judges Yemen remains central to its broader maritime and geo-economic posture, it will retain levers through partners, finance, logistics, and political sponsorship.” - @andreaskrieg.bsky.social

⚡️How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News. www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...

A huge amount going on at present, all over the place. One of those things is the collapse of the UAE’s Yemen policy and a serious reduction in its regional power and influence. By contrast, the Saudis have the upper hand in Yemen for the first time in years.

Truly we seem to be entering a golden age of kidnapping...

It's worth noting that the statement was made by the STC leaders who are in Saudi Arabia. Vi coactus likely applies.

The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions. The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.

For those trying to catch up on Yemen events, the Saudi-UAE confrontation and work out what's been going on, try this for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/theo... For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx

In >15 yrs of living and breathing Yemen, the last two weeks’ events have been off the scale in their rapidity and upheaval - internal and external - even by Yemen standards. Since 2010 I don’t think I’ve witnessed a fortnight like it. And I lived in Sana’a through revolution (2011) and coup (2014).

In parallel events,Saudi-backed National Shield Forces arrived in Aden overnight.

As the Saudis watched in real time the boat taking Aiderous Al Zubaydi to Somaliland, I’ve no doubt they thought long and hard about taking it out. It’s also telling that they chose not to.

I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond. It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation

I wasn’t wrong. Aiderous Al Zubaydi is now in the UAE after being smuggled out by boat to Berbera, Somaliland. Saudi Arabia released the intricate details of the smuggling operation that was co-ordinated by the UAE.

Hamedti will be watching things closely from Sudan…watching to see if the UAE has got Aiderous out, or lets him swing for treason - which the Yemeni government is now accusing him of.

Keep thinking of one of the first times I met Aiderous Al-Zubaydi, long before STC existed, sitting on a sofa in a house with a crater in the roof, pieces of masonry dropping onto the floor as we spoke. Even then he was wearing Manchester City tracksuit. Even then the Emperor’s clothes were UAE.

In an extraordinary end to an extraordinary week in Yemen, Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes in Al-Dhale targeting forces of longtime STC leader and Presidential Leadership Council member Aiderous Al Zubaydi. If recent history is anything to go by, he would’ve smuggled himself out to the UAE.

Word is, STC leader Aiderous Al-Zubaidi didn’t get on the flight taking the STC delegation to Riyadh. Instead, he’s heading back to his home with his men in Al-Dhale. The Emperor’s New Clothes were always made in the UAE.

This is a humiliating blow for the STC. But, this is inevitable when you’re a proxy force and your one and only backer leaves you high and dry. It’s also a clear illustration of the stark contrast with the Houthis and how they are not a proxy of Iran.

Giants Brigades are taking control in Aden from STC forces. So far they’re at the presidential palace and central bank. Talking to folks earlier, they described lots of new checkpoints with “new people”. The Giants are believed to be temporary before passing control to Saudi-backed National Shield.

Much anticipation in Aden over what’s coming. National Shield Forces appear to be on their way after reached Shabwah yesterday. Today, reports indicate Presidential Guard and STC forces have left/are leaving strategic locations including Presidential palace compound. Adenis are holding their breath

No end in sight for Yemen’s nightmare as UAE and Saudi Arabia’s proxy conflict continues bit.ly/4jkuERS

The thinly veiled Saudi vs UAE proxy war for control of Hadhramaut is on. National Shield Forces and Yemen Emergency Forces (Saudi-backed) took the 37th Armoured Brigade/Al-Khasha base by force with Saudi air cover. Further airstrikes at Seiyun airport and 1st Military Region HQ.

And Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

Dramatic changes underway in the geopolitical makeup of the Middle East. I was fortunate to speak to @ionacraig.com open.spotify.com/episode/70fW...

I'm thinking I might be cursed when it comes to talking Yemen with @snellarthur.bsky.social Last time we spoke Hegseth's Signalgate broke almost immediately afterwards, before our conversation even got to air. Current events are far more consequential yet happening with notably less interest

In the hours before today's strikes and ultimatum by Saudi Arabia, I sat down with @snellarthur.bsky.social to talk about what's happening in Yemen, the UAE vs Saudi rivalry and why we should all be paying more attention.

The UAE removing their own forces from bases in southern Yemen does not change events or control on the ground. The issue is over USE-backed STC and Hadhrami Elite Forces. The UAE appears to be putting its own interpretation on Saudi’s very clear demands.

The clock is ticking on Saudi’s 24hr ultimatum for withdrawal of UAE backed forces. UAE is now claiming it’s ended its counter terrorism units in Yemen “voluntarily”. Without a sign of STC troop withdrawal, it’s meaningless. Any handover to Hadhrami Elite Forces (UAE-backed) would be status quo.

The statement from Saudi Arabia against the UAE is stronger than the airstrikes that preceded it.

The message I woke up to from a friend in southern Yemen this morning was just one word: “War” It looks like the gloves are off

APNewsAlert: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia directly links UAE to #Yemen separatists' advances, warns Abu Dhabi its actions are 'extremely dangerous.'

Second round of airstrikes in less than a week carried out by Saudi Arabia against UAE intervention and UAE-backed forces in Hadhramaut

Saudi airstrikes did not hit STC troops directly and appear to have been warning shots - albeit with bombs not guns. A lot hangs in the balance..which way will this escalation to confrontation take? Further military action by the STC? Or attempts to immediately de-escalate?

Reports and videos this morning of apparent Saudi airstrikes against UAE-backed forces in Hadhramaut

This is the first public move by Saudi Arabia against the UAE-backed STC takeover in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra. While it’s a call for the STC to withdraw, there’s nothing assertive about what happens if the STC ignores Saudis demand, other than a vague mention of ‘undesirable consequences’.

Airspace reopened earlier today. Commercial flights left Aden this afternoon. There are conflicting reports that it may not just be Saudi troops leaving. Some claims in local media that medical staff from the MbS hospital in Aden have also left.

Deescalation between UAE-backed STC and Saudi-backed National Shield along with the Yemeni government (IRG) appear to have come to a head. Saudi has closed Yemen’s airspace. Tensions are high. Saudi Task Force 802 troops have been withdrawing from many (not all) locations across Yemen since Saturday

There's a lot of 2014/2015 vibes about what's happening in Yemen at the moment. When the Houthis were taking territory with similar speed and deals done to smooth their way, I was living in Sana'a trying to pitch stories to editors on the unfolding coup. Now, as then, no one could give two hoots.