Exclusive: Tension in the anti-Houthi camp and the Emirati connection

Sources in Yemen told 'Israel Hayom' that the string of victories in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area was led by forces of the Southern Transitional Council, backed by the United Arab Emirates, and not by Yemeni government forces as presented in Saudi media. The tension between partners in the anti-Houthi camp is growing over the division of credit for the achievements.

Sources in Yemen told 'Israel Hayom' that the recent string of victories in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area and the southern coast of the Red Sea was actually led by forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council, backed by the United Arab Emirates, and not by the pro-Saudi Yemeni government forces as presented in Saudi media. The Southern Transitional Council seeks to reestablish South Yemen as an independent state. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia demanded that the UAE withdraw its advisors from Yemen due to its support for the council. The council's leader, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, went underground and was accused of treason, but footage showed southern soldiers hanging his picture at the gate of the city of al-Mokha, which was captured from the Houthis. A commentator affiliated with the southern forces called for coordinating fronts against the Houthis while acknowledging that internal disputes would be resolved afterward.