Dear Friends and Comrades,

In the midst of the war on Iran and the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, the protracted conflict for Yemen’s future has slid out of view for many. Today we are sharing with you a critical assessment of some important developments there, courtesy of longtime Yemen analyst Susanne Dahlgren, in “Yemen After the Saudi-Emirati Split.” Following the exit of militias sponsored by the United Arab Emirates last year, Saudi Arabia’s influence outside of the Houthi-controlled areas in the south of the country has grown considerably. 

Reading the movements of the Southern Transitional Council and the internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council, Dahlgren astutely explains how Saudi energies have been overwhelmingly focused on consolidating their influence across the south rather than direct conflict with the Houthis. The nature of this strategic decision suggests to Dahlgren that Saudi Arabia may be acting in tacit coordination with the Houthis to manage a divided Yemen. 

As Dahlgren writes, while “these changes are redrawing Yemen's political landscape” Saudi management of the Yemen file figures to be a major obstacle to unity and independence for the majority of Yemenis who desire it. The conflict may be entering a frozen period, to the benefit of Saudi strategic interests in the Bab al Mandab Strait, but likely not to any advantage for ordinary Yemenis. 

We hope you find this essay enlightening, along with our continued coverage of Yemen. And as always, we welcome your thoughts and reactions by responding to this email. 

In solidarity,

James Ryan
Executive Director