ThePrint CutTheClutter: Why allies Saudi Arabia & UAE are fighting in Yemen,& how it's linked to influence contest in Africa
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Jan 9, 2026 The podcast dives into the complex rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, detailing how the Arab Spring reignited old divisions. It explores the strength of the Houthis and their strategic control over key regions like Sana'a. The discussion highlights the UAE's preference for a divided Yemen and the significance of territorial control over vital coastlines. Moreover, it connects this conflict to greater regional dynamics, including the influence contest in Africa and the strategic chokepoint of Bab el-Mandeb.
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Houthis' Unusual Military Strength
- The Houthis are the most powerful non-state military in the world with heavy weapons.
- They control key Red Sea ports and possess hundreds to thousands of ballistic missiles.
UAE Wants A Divided Yemen
- UAE and Saudi Arabia back competing outcomes in Yemen: division versus unity.
- UAE prefers a divided Yemen to control southern ports and maritime routes, while Saudi Arabia fears that outcome.
Bab el-Mandeb Is A Global Choke Point
- Control of Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb is the strategic prize for regional actors.
- Blocking or securing these choke points directly affects global shipping and trade routes.
