Saudi-UAE Tension: At the beginning of the new year, the long-running war in Yemen has once again taken a sharp turn. In fact, the Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions. Meanwhile, let us know when Saudi Arabia and UAE have fought each other before and also who among them is more powerful.

History of serious controversies

Although Saudi Arabia and UAE have never fought a large-scale direct war against each other, their relations are not free from conflict. One of the earliest conflicts was the Buraimi dispute, which lasted between 1952 and 1955. It was a regional conflict over the Al Buraimi Oasis involving Saudi Arabia and the Trucial States, then a British protectorate. Later, the Jeddah Treaty of 1974 formally demarcated the borders between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

yemen crisis

In this conflict, one of the most serious conflicts, both the countries initially fought the Houthi rebels together. Over time their strategic goals diverged. Saudi Arabia supported Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the UAE supported the Southern Transitional Council, which seeks independence for southern Yemen.

This tension increased considerably between December 2025 and January 2026 when Saudi Arabia allegedly attacked an arms consignment belonging to the UAE at the Mukalla port in Yemen. After this there was a direct clash between Saudi-backed and UAE-backed forces.

power of saudi arabia

If seen from the perspective of traditional power, Saudi Arabia’s influence is quite high. It has more than 2.5 lakh active military personnel. Along with this, it spends approximately 75 billion dollars annually on defence. This empire has advanced fighter jets like F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon, heavy armored vehicles and missile systems. Along with this, the huge oil reserves and geographical size of this country make it quite big in economic and strategic terms.

UAE’s strength

The UAE army is much smaller. UAE has about 65000 soldiers. But the special thing is that it is considered one of the most professional and technologically advanced armies in this region. Often known as Little Sparta, the UAE has shown operational influence in Yemen, Libya and other foreign interventions.

Economically, UAE exerts more influence than its potential. Its sovereign wealth fund, whose total value is about one and a half trillion dollars, is one of the most diversified funds in the world.

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The long ongoing conflict in Yemen has once again taken a violent turn. The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition on Friday (January 2, 2026) targeted UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions with air strikes. At least 20 separatist fighters have been confirmed killed in these attacks. This action has taken place at a time when the United Arab Emirates had recently announced the end of its military presence in Yemen.

According to the AFP report, the air strikes were carried out on military bases located in Seiyoun and Al-Khasha areas of Hadramaut province. A military base and an airport were also targeted in the attacks, bringing air activity in the area to a halt. There was no movement of any aircraft for several hours, due to which an atmosphere of fear was created among the common citizens. Officials associated with the Southern Transitional Council said that all those killed were their fighters, who were deployed at these military bases. This is the first time that STC positions have been directly targeted in recent months.

UAE’s withdrawal and increasing tension

Before these air strikes, UAE had announced that it had also withdrawn its last military contingent from Yemen. Abu Dhabi made it clear that it wants to reduce tension in the region. However, before this, controversy had also arisen regarding the attack on Mukalla port, where arms consignment was allegedly targeted. UAE rejected these allegations and said that it was only a consignment of vehicles.

STC’s allegation and Saudi side’s reply

Leaders of the Southern Transitional Council have accused Saudi-backed forces of breaking trust. He says that it was said that the military bases would be taken under control peacefully, but air strikes were carried out immediately after this. An STC spokesperson described it as a fight for survival and said that they are fighting against fundamentalism.

At the same time, the Saudi-backed administration of Hadramaut province says that this campaign is not against any political or social group, but its purpose is to capture military bases. Saudi military sources have warned that if STC does not withdraw its fighters, the attacks may continue.

Decades old conflict and regional politics

The civil war going on in Yemen is almost a decade old. In this conflict, Saudi Arabia and UAE, despite being part of the same alliance, have been supporting different local groups. Iran-backed Houthi rebels are still in a strong position in northern Yemen, while the fight for power continues in the south and eastern areas.

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Due to the worsening situation in Yemen and regional security, a war-like situation is developing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, the southern separatist group Southern Transitional Council (STC) recently captured large parts of Hadramaut and Mahra provinces, which are backed by the UAE. Saudi Arabia described UAE as dangerous and threatened to withdraw its forces from Yemen. STC said Saudi authorities did not allow the plane to land at Aden airport on January 1. Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is angry at Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir due to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Pakistan.

Saudi refused to meet Pakistani leaders

Former Major of Pakistani Army Adil Raja claimed that due to the visit of UAE President to Pakistan, Mohammed bin Salman has refused to meet Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir or any other leader. After Saudi airstrike on the arms consignment sent from UAE in Yemen, Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the President of UAE at Noorkhan Air Base. According to the senior officer of PAK Army, Munir wanted that Saudi should not mind the visit of UAE President. For this he was planning to go to Riyadh to meet Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Planning to change PM in Pakistan

Adil Raja said that this planning of Asim Munir was put on hold because Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman refused to meet the Pak Army Chief or any leader there. He told that former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are currently in Dubai and meeting the UAE government. Former Major of Pakistani Army claimed that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz want to put pressure on UAE President Mohammad Bin Zayed Munir to make Maryam the PM of Pakistan.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has refused to meet Pakistan military regime leader Asim Munir.

Asim Munir wanted to visit Riyadh, but the Saudi Crown Prince has not only refused to meet Asim Munir, he has declined to meet any Pakistani leader.

Asim Munir has made UAE… pic.twitter.com/hK0KhWvNbT

— बरहान अल्दीन ‏| Burhanuddin (@burhan_uddin_0) December 31, 2025

Manir is working at the behest of UAE: Adil Raja

Adil Raja said, ‘At present Asim Munir is working on the instructions of the President of UAE. Whereas Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants Imran Khan to be released from jail. Saudi Prince is currently angry with Pakistan and is saying that I will show you what I can do. Munir is scared of his attitude. Recently, Saudi gave the honor to Munir, but the Prince himself did not come to give it.

Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates) have been dominant in the Gulf countries since the beginning. These two Sunni Muslim majority countries have a huge stature in the entire Middle East. Both these countries have been each other’s closest and most trusted partners for a long time. But today the situation has changed and now both of them seem to be becoming enemies of each other. There is tension going on between these two countries on the issue of Yemen.

what is the latest incident
These two countries are fighting among themselves on the soil of Yemen. On Tuesday (December 30), Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on an arms consignment belonging to the UAE in Yemen. Saudi army bombed Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla. The situation has become so severe that the Saudi-backed government of Yemen has given the UAE army an ultimatum of 24 hours to leave the country. After this UAE also withdrew its army. The UAE Defense Ministry has issued a statement saying that it will also end its remaining military presence in Yemen.

Saudi and UAE friendship
Ever since UAE came into existence, Saudi Arabia has been its supporter. Let us tell you that both these countries are Sunni Muslim majority and have monarchical system and the economy of both is dependent on oil. The friendship between the two countries has remained very strong due to the concern over Iran’s growing influence in the Gulf. The friendship between the two countries was at its peak in the early 2010s. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE Ruler Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) remained united against Islamic fundamentalism and Iran. In 2011, the United Arab Emirates and the UAE formed a united front against Islamic movements. Sent joint forces to suppress the rebellion in Bahrain and played an important role in the military ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt in 2013.

how relationships deteriorated
On December 30, 2025, the Saudi Arabia-led coalition carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s southern port Mukalla. Saudi Arabia claims they targeted a dock that was being used to deliver foreign military aid to UAE-backed separatists. Saudi clearly said that this attack was carried out on an arms consignment belonging to UAE. The UAE rejected Saudi Arabia’s claims and said that the consignment that was attacked did not contain any weapons, but was supplies and equipment for the UAE army.

real reason for enmity
Both the countries now want to move ahead with the oil economy. UAE’s vision started before 2021 (since 2008). He made his city Dubai a global hub. Saudi’s Vision 2030 is now challenging the UAE. Saudi’s Neom City, Riyadh Air, Jeddah Port are now about to become global hubs. From the year 2021, Saudi has imposed restrictions on imports from UAE free zones. There is a competition between Mohammed bin Salman and Mohammed bin Zayed to become the leader of the Gulf countries. Let us tell you that UAE supports the southern separatists in Yemen and the Saudi government. Whereas in Sudan, UAE is with RSF while Saudi is with SAF. Even in Libya and Egypt, both support different groups.

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Tension in the Gulf region has deepened after Saudi Arabia’s bombing of Yemen’s strategic port city of Mukalla. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw its troops from Saudi Arabia. This decision has been taken at a time when Saudi Arabia alleged that weapons were sent from UAE through a ship that reached Yemen, which was targeted and attacked.

Reference to security and anti-terrorism operations
According to Bloomberg report, the UAE Defense Ministry said that it will voluntarily withdraw its remaining military personnel, keeping in mind security reasons and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism operations. The UAE Foreign Ministry has rejected allegations of sending weapons to Yemen. The ministry clarified that the UAE is supporting the restoration of the legitimate government and the fight against terrorism while fully respecting Yemen’s sovereignty. UAE says that the ship that reached Mukalla did not contain weapons, but vehicles for the use of UAE soldiers deployed there.

Yemeni parties have right over Yemen’s future: UAE
The UAE has already said that Yemen’s governance and territorial integrity should be decided by the Yemeni parties themselves, and not by external forces. On Tuesday, a ship that left from Fujairah in UAE reached Mukalla port in Yemen. Shortly after this, Saudi Arabia bombed Mukalla. Saudi Arabia alleges that this consignment was sent to provide arms to the Abu Dhabi-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Increasing conflict between STC and Yemeni army
STC has been demanding separate sovereignty in southern Yemen since April 2017. In contrast, the Yemeni army stands with the Hadramaut Tribal Alliance, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. The conflict between the two groups has made the area more unstable. Earlier this month, STC took control of large parts of Yemen’s Hadramaut and Mahra provinces, including oil installations. Since then, tension in the area is continuously increasing.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are supporting different political and military factions present in Yemen. The region is strategically important due to its location along global shipping routes and the Middle East’s major energy export region.

Air strikes and warning to separatists
On Friday, Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes in Hadramaut area. According to analysts, these attacks were meant to warn separatist forces to stop their advance and retreat from Hadramaut and Mahra provinces. Recent developments have further strengthened the STC’s position in southern Yemen, giving it greater influence in any future negotiations to resolve the Yemen crisis. STC has long been demanding that Southern Yemen be given the right to self-determination in any agreement.

The fire of Israel-Hamas war has not yet been completely extinguished that tension has started between the two big countries of West Asia. Saudi Arabia carried out an air-strike on two ships loaded with military vehicles and other military equipment at the Mukalla port of Yemen, which is struggling with civil war. Saudi Arabia alleges that both these ships were brought from UAE (United Arab Emirates) to Mukalla Port for the rebel organizations of Yemen.

Saudi gave ultimatum to UAE

Saudi alleges that these combat vehicles were to be used in Saudi areas, which was a threat to national security. Saudi has warned UAE and given an ultimatum to withdraw its troops from Yemen within 24 hours. Before the attack, Saudi has shared a drone video of UAE’s Fujairah port, from where these vehicles were loaded on the sea ship. Saudi Arabia held the UAE directly responsible for the activities of Yemen’s separatists and warned Abu Dhabi that its actions were extremely dangerous.

Yemen imposed 90 day emergency

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of Yemen’s internationally recognized government has declared a 90-day state of emergency. Additionally, the joint defense agreement with the UAE was canceled and air, sea and land routes were blocked for 72 hours. In Yemen, the southern separatist group Southern Transitional Council (STC) recently captured large parts of Hadhramaut and Mahra provinces, which are backed by the Emirates (UAE). In response to this, PLC took this step. Alimi called it an unacceptable rebellion.

BIG: Saudi airstrikes hit Yemen’s Mukalla Port, targeting ships from the UAE carrying armored vehicles and weapons for UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists.

Tensions between Saudi-backed and UAE-backed forces have escalated sharply after pro-UAE forces… pic.twitter.com/ExPP78VVTz

— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 30, 2025

‘Weapons being sent to separatists were attacked’

The announcement by Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, came after the Saudi-led coalition fighting in divided Yemen said it attacked a UAE arms shipment being sent to the separatists. Forces from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (SCT) seized control of Yemen’s south this month, seizing large swathes of the resource-rich Hadramawt province and neighboring Mahra.

Yemen’s government is under threat

Alimi ordered the SCT to hand over the area to Saudi-backed forces and in a televised speech called the separatists’ audacity an unacceptable rebellion. The conflict threatens to disintegrate the already fractured Yemeni government, whose factions are supported by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It also threatens slow peace talks with Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who ousted the government from the capital Sanaa in 2014. In response, the Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily.

Saudi Arabia has deported more Indian citizens than America in the last five years. This information has been given by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through official data presented in the Rajya Sabha. These figures also show that the major reason for deportation in Gulf countries is not illegal border crossing, but visa overstay, violation of labor laws and ignoring residency rules.

In a written reply to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that many countries do not share data related to detention, but the deportation data released through Emergency Certificate (EC) gives a reliable indication of the action taken against Indian citizens.

The country that deports Indians the most

According to the data received from the Indian Embassy, ​​Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has deported thousands of Indians every year from 2021 to 2025, which is as follows.

• 2021: 8,887
• 2022: 10,277
• 2023: 11,486
• 2024: 9,206
• 2025 (so far): 7,019

According to officials, these figures are the result of the strictness of Iqama (residency permit) rules in Saudi Arabia, the Saudisation policy, tight controls in the labor market and periodic campaigns against visa overstays.

“In the Gulf region, especially Saudi Arabia, large-scale deportations take place due to overstaying visas, working without permits and violation of residency rules,” a senior official said.

Deportation figures from America are very low

In contrast, the figures of deportation of Indian citizens from America have been quite low, even though the political debate on immigration has been intense there. According to the Indian Mission in Washington DC, 805 Indians have been deported in 2021, 862 in 2022, 617 in 2023, 1,368 in 2024 and 3,414 in 2025. In other American missions (New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago) this number was only in the tens or hundreds, which is very less in comparison to the Gulf countries.

Main reasons for deportation

According to the MEA, the main reasons behind deportation include overstaying a visa, working without a valid work permit, violating local labor laws and mass checking drives conducted from time to time. Officials also clarified that in most of the cases there is no mass detention and many Indians have valid travel documents, hence there is no need for Emergency Certificate.

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A very serious situation arose on Thursday (25 December 2025) in Islam’s holiest Mosque, Al-Haram, located in Mecca city of Saudi Arabia. A person jumped down from the upper floor of the mosque, but the promptness of the security forces present there prevented a major incident from happening. The situation came under control within a few moments of the incident.

According to eyewitnesses, as soon as the person went near the railing and took a dangerous step, he jumped. However, the soldiers of the Special Force for Harm Security immediately swung into action. A video related to the incident is going viral on social media, in which it can be clearly seen that the security personnel run at full speed and catch him. This entire action was completed in a few seconds, due to which the person’s life was saved.

A security guard at the Masjid al-Haram rushed to intervene after a person tried to take their own life by jumping off the upper floors of the masjid.

The security guard was injured while trying to prevent the person from hitting the ground. Both individuals were… pic.twitter.com/NnpveIE8wf

— • (@Alhamdhulillah) December 25, 2025

Security personnel injured during rescue

A security guard also got injured during this rescue operation. Saudi officials said that the guard suffered a slight fracture due to loss of balance during the rescue. However, his condition is said to be stable. They are out of danger. Immediately after the incident, the injured security personnel, the person who jumped and the security personnel were sent to the hospital for treatment.

Saudi administration’s statement, situation completely under control

The Mecca region administration and the Interior Ministry confirmed the incident and said that the security system of Masjid al-Haram took immediate action as per the prescribed protocol. The officials also clarified that this incident had no impact on the prayers and religious activities going on in the mosque. The movement of devotees remained normal and the situation is completely under control.

Video went viral on social media

The video of the incident spread rapidly on many places including social media platform X (formerly Twitter). People are openly praising the agility, courage and professional training of the security forces. It was also posted from the official account of Mecca Emirate that trained security teams are deployed in Masjid al-Haram all the time, who are capable of dealing with any emergency.

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The figures that have come out regarding death penalty in Saudi Arabia have surprised everyone. The cases of death penalty are continuously increasing here. Last year’s record of death penalty has been broken again this year. This year more death sentences have been given in Arabia than last year. Since then, the concern of human rights groups has increased.

According to BBC report, Britain’s campaign group Reprieve has given the information. It is said that about 347 people have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia this year. In 2024 this figure was 345. This is a bloody year of hangings. Those who have been sentenced to death this year include a journalist and two protesting youths.

Death penalty being given in drugs case
According to Reprieve, this type of punishment is being given because of deaths caused by drugs. Two-thirds of the people hanged this year are said to be involved in drug crimes. These include many foreign citizens. In a way, this is a campaign launched against drugs.

Zeid Basyouni, a representative associated with Reprieve and serving in North Africa including the Middle East, said that Saudi Arabia is making a mockery of the human rights system. Innocent and marginalized people of the society are getting trapped in these actions. 96 have been hanged in Hashish (charas) cases. The Human Rights Office has termed this case as tragic.

UN has demanded a ban on death penalty
Joy Shea, a researcher on Saudi Arabia for Human Rights Watch, has said that Mohammed bin Salman and his officials did not have to pay any price for these executions. The families of those who are being hanged are not being informed. He is also not giving information about the method of giving death penalty. There is also beheading or firing squad here. An appeal has also been made by the UN to ban the death penalty.

Climate change has caused major changes in those areas where people are not ready to tolerate such weather. A similar surprising sight has come from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been known for its heat and vast desert, but this time it is getting so cold that snowfall has been seen in many areas. In this way, changes in weather and temperature have alerted people.

The sudden increase in cold in a desert country is no less than a surprise. Due to this, the view of the mountains in Tabuk province has completely changed. A high altitude place in the Jebel Al Lodge area, known as Trozena, which is about 2600 meters high, has seen light rain and snowfall. This area got covered with snow within some time.

The temperature dropped to 0 degrees

Apart from this, there has been snowfall in many areas including Hail city of Arabia. The morning temperature here went down to 0 degrees within a few hours. This created a situation of snow accumulation at higher places. There was widespread rain in many areas along with cold wind. Light rain was observed in Al Aynah, Ammar, Al Ula Governorate, Shaqwa and its surrounding areas. Apart from these areas, heavy rain was seen in Riyadh, Qasim and some parts of eastern areas.

Snow blanketed Saudi Arabia this week, transforming the usually rugged, desert-framed mountains into a winter landscape.pic.twitter.com/0lMIazJe9b

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) December 19, 2025

What is the reason for sudden drop in temperature?

According to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), snowfall was seen in Al Majmah and Al Ghat, north of Riyadh. Snow accumulated in these open areas and high places. Unusual weather continues. Videos are widely viral on social media. All schools have been converted to remote learning for a week.

According to meteorologists, this kind of situation has arisen due to change in atmospheric conditions. However, the deeper question is why the weather has suddenly changed its pattern. Snow is falling in those places, which were once considered dry and hot areas. With this, a new debate has started regarding climate change and its changes.

Unusual weather changes in these areas of the world
Sudden snowfall and winter rain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), record-breaking heat in South Asia, sudden floods in the Middle East, unusual snowfall in some areas of Europe and North Africa, all these seasonal changes have once again sparked a debate about climate change in the world.