UAE and Saudi Arabia Join Forces Against Houthi Militia in Yemen

According to sources in Yemen, The United Arab Emirates has agreed to restore financial assistance to some Yemeni forces fighting the Houthi Militia in the south, with the group’s growing advances raising alarm among Gulf leaders.

As part of the reported agreement Saudi Arabiawill provide aerial support to anti-Houthi forces. The renewed coordination could signal a thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE following disagreements over Yemen’s political future.

Saudi Arabia has been fronting drone and missile attacks that have interrupted airport operations and affected parts of its energy infrastructure, raising security concerns across the kingdom.

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The United Arab Emirates has agreed to resume funding Yemeni forces fighting the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia will provide air cover under a new agreement between the two countries, The Guardian reported Saturday.

The agreement signals an easing of tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over Yemen’s future as Iran-backed Houthis advance and attack Saudi infrastructure. The UAE withdrew from operations in Yemen in January, cutting funding to forces including the Giant Brigades, which it had previously trained and supported.

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 17, 2026

The UAE previously trained and funded southern forces, particularly the Giant Brigades, which are considered among the more effective groups in Yemen’s fragmented anti-Houthi coalition. However, the UAE withdrew its forces from operations inside Yemen in January and halted its funding support.

Meanwhile, neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE has publicly responded to a recent demand by southern Yemeni separatists for a referendum on independence. The proposed move would seek to restore the borders that existed when North and South Yemen were separate states between 1967 and 1990.