Emirati academic denies Yemen military reentry, proposes southern statehood

Emirati academic Abdulkhaliq Abdullah, described as being close to decision-making circles in Abu Dhabi, has addressed recent reports regarding the United Arab Emirates' involvement in the Yemen conflict. Abdullah dismissed reports from The Guardian suggesting that the UAE has agreed to resume military involvement and financial support for southern Yemeni forces at the request of Saudi Arabia. He stated that the UAE has moved past direct military engagement in Yemen, though he emphasized that Emirati influence in the Yemeni file remains “indispensable.”

In a separate context, Abdullah proposed a new approach to the Yemeni crisis, suggesting that Gulf nations should collectively recognize a “South Arabian State” as a strategic ally. His proposal includes ceasing support for the Yemeni government in the north and leaving the northern regions to manage their own internal conflicts, while avoiding any formal engagement with the Houthi militia in Sana'a.

These comments have drawn significant backlash from Yemeni activists, who characterized the proposal as a conspiracy to partition the country and surrender northern territories to Houthi control in exchange for control over southern ports and islands.