UAE Provides Covert Support to Houthis in Yemen Conflict

Following the cessation of its military operations in Yemen earlier this year due to diverging interests with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appears to be re-engaging in the conflict by covertly assisting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. An investigative report by Drop Site indicates that the UAE is providing crucial intelligence and targeting support to the Houthis, who are fighting against forces backed by Saudi Arabia. However, this assistance is reportedly confined to Yemen and does not extend into Saudi territory, which has recently been subjected to missile and drone assaults.

The reported collaboration is especially noteworthy given that the UAE and the Houthis are generally ideological adversaries; the UAE maintains alliances with Israel and the United States, while the Houthis receive support from Iran. Nevertheless, their interests converge within the chaotic landscape of Yemen, where the UAE is seemingly attempting to re-establish its influence.

Historically, the UAE and Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in 2015 when the Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, and expanded their territory. They formed part of a coalition supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government, although their backing diverged with Saudi Arabia supporting the official government and the UAE providing assistance to southern separatist factions, particularly the Southern Transitional Council (STC). These differing allegiances have often weakened the collective opposition to the Houthis, contributing to sporadic internal conflicts between the UAE and Saudi-aligned forces.

Tensions escalated late last year when allegations emerged accusing Abu Dhabi of providing tacit support to separatists, prompting Saudi Arabia to back calls for the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen, which was enacted in January. The recent reports suggest that the UAE is actively trying to re-enter the complex fray of Yemen by sharing critical intelligence with the Houthis. Drop Site's report delineated two contrasting accounts of the assistance: some sources indicated that UAE-aligned Yemeni forces are aiding the Houthis in targeting Saudi-supported government forces, while others claimed that the UAE is directly sharing intelligence with Houthi leaders in Sanaa.

A Yemeni source disclosed that the UAE has provided a "significant amount of intelligence" to the Houthis that has reportedly enabled them to successfully target commanders of Saudi-backed forces and anticipate troop movements. This capability may stem from the UAE's sophisticated intelligence operations, including a covert surveillance initiative named 'Raven' established in 2009, which was reportedly designed for monitoring various groups including militants and human rights activists.

The Houthis have also opened dialogues with military officers loyal to the UAE, indicating that communication channels remain open despite their historical opposition. The UAE's stance on these allegations remains unresponsive.

Recent military developments reveal that the Houthis have executed effective strikes against Saudi-backed forces, including two notable precision attacks on coalition military installations in early October. Although the United States appears to be cognisant of these developments, a senior official from the previous Trump administration cautioned the UAE against its covert dealings with the Houthis, urging Abu Dhabi to cease its support.

A prominent Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, responded cryptically to the reports by asserting that any collaboration does not indicate an alliance aimed at undermining Saudi Arabia. He stated that the UAE is upholding a neutral stance in the conflict, rebuffing Saudi attempts to draw it back into hostilities.

This new dimension of the conflict unfolds amidst rising tensions, with the Houthis recently seizing key areas along Yemen's Red Sea coastline, and engaging in attacks on Saudi infrastructure that have inflicted considerable economic losses. Notably, an assault on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in significant casualties and marked one of the most deadly incidents in the kingdom in over a decade. In retaliation, Saudi Arabia has escalated its military operations against the Houthis, targeting missile storage sites and tunnels utilised by the group.

As the situation continues to develop, reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is exploring a financial incentive of $1 billion for the Houthi rebels to achieve a ceasefire and restore oil exports, an opportunity discussed during a recent meeting involving Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani representatives alongside Iranian officials. However, with rising tensions and no resolution in sight, the potential for a broader conflict in the already volatile Middle East remains a pressing concern.