While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been reducing the number of UAE
military personnel in Yemen, returning them home because of tensions in
the Persian Gulf, they are also continuing to push to try to increase the size of UAE-loyal militias within Yemen, retaining substantial influence in the country.
As the Saudi-led invasion continues to stretch on in Yemen, retaining
control over seized territory is a priority. The Saudis and the UAE may
be on the same side on paper, but post war, the UAE would much prefer to
have Emirati loyalists controlling the most valuable territory. The UAE
is growing its forces envisioning them contesting control of areas
after the Houthis are expelled from them, as opposed to Saudi-backed
forces.
This not only sets up a potential round of fights after the current
Yemen War, but threatens unrest right now. Emirati-backed forces on the
remote Yemeni island of Socotra continue to undermine stability in the area,
fueling protests among locals who say their island has seen no fighting
during the entire war, and the only military exercises were
Yemeni-backed forces landing on the island and taking it over.
Socotra’s distance from mainland Yemen has kept it separate from the
conflict, but its location in the Arabian Sea makes it potentially
valuable in the post-war era, which is what UAE military operations seem
to be looking toward.
The UAE has been envisioning itself as a major regional power for
awhile, and is using proxy forces to make up for their own relatively
small size and population.
Well I am glad this little problem between allies has been pointed out. This news is about one tear too old.
Now we have a brand new development. UAE is back in Saudi fold. Saudi-UAE relationship can be divided into three eras: pre-MBS, post-MBS, but pre-Kashoggi, and post-Kashoggi. The key is. US had an oversized influence in UAE in post-MBS era (after June 2017). UAE made assumption that MBS will not last as interests in US that are against him would prevail. But after Kashoggi overreach, MBS enemies lost internal political battle, snd MBS emerged stronger. Post-Kashoggi MBS took his first trip to UAE — and things started changing.
It was US that provided UAE with private armies it was all over our media. They were assassinating politicians and leaders associated with Saudi backed Yemen government.
Let us pay attention — this stopped, as UAE and Saudis cut some deals. The inly unhappy party at present is US. Why? We helped UAE take over good chunk of South Yemen, with expectation that US will control it, and get footing onto Arabian side of Bab Al-Mandeb. But now, no longer sure, and we are angry at UAE.
How do we kniw it? Lately, there are negative articles about UAE all over the place. About treatment of prisoners, about being presumably responsible for transferring US weapons to Libya, etc. One can tell easily up front when we get
unhappy — media gets its fangs into the target.
In short, we want to control Saudis by blocking their oil exports to Asia if need be. We can block Straights of Hormuz and if we control Arabian side of Bab Al-Mandeb straights, we can close it too.
This is why Yemen is about us vs Saudis, and either Saudis or US — using UAE.
Lately, UAE being mire scared of Saudis.
And. both Bahrain and UAE opening embassies in Damascus. Rather obvious, that is the best location for meeting Iranian officials.
US is at present stuck in the vortex of Middle East intrigue— not knowing friends from frenemies or enemies.
Where are climate change warriors when you need them? War should not come to Socotra. It is Galapagos of Arabia — such incredible flora developed in isolation. Look it up.
“It is Galapagos of Arabia — such incredible flora developed in isolation. Look it up.”
Just got done typing up pretty much the same thing. Thought I was the only geography nerd who’s heart bled for that place.
Socrata is one of the most beautiful places on earth and was once home to one of the oldest Christian populations on the planet. Thomas the Apostle was shipwrecked there on his way to India. He’s said to have built a church from the wreckage. Wahhabism wiped out this tradition centuries ago and is now on the brink of wiping out the wrest of that beautiful place too. A third of Socrata’s plant life is endemic. It’s biodiversity is on par with the Galapagos Islands and the occupying UAE is ravaging it as part of a doomed campaign to colonize a country with child soldiers. I’ve said it before, the UAE is the most disgusting place on earth and now they’re set to lay waste to one of the most beautiful. Allah will never forgive them.