Egypt urges wisdom as Saudi-UAE rift over Yemen deepens

Egypt has issued a diplomatic appeal for calm amid a rapidly escalating dispute between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen. In a statement on Tuesday, Cairo expressed "full confidence" that the two Gulf powers would handle their differences with wisdom and in a spirit of shared Arab destiny during a sensitive period for regional stability.

A Call for Brotherly Dialogue and Restraint

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry's carefully worded statement conveyed appreciation for what it called the "constructive handling of the situation" by both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. It praised their stated keenness to support stability in Yemen and preserve the country's sovereignty. Cairo affirmed its intent to continue contacts with all parties, including Yemeni factions and international stakeholders, to reduce tensions and pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement that serves Yemeni aspirations for security and prosperity.

Context of a Sudden and Severe Diplomatic Crisis

The Egyptian mediation effort follows a dramatic series of events that have fractured the anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen. The crisis was triggered by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seizing control of key eastern provinces earlier this month. In response, Yemen's internationally recognized government canceled its joint defense pact with the UAE and gave Emirati forces 24 hours to withdraw. Saudi Arabia then intervened, publicly backing Yemen's demand and labeling the UAE's support for the STC as a direct threat to Saudi national security.

The Underlying Conflict and Regional Repercussions

The STC, Yemen's main secessionist force, seeks independence for the south, a goal rejected by the central government in Riyadh, which insists on Yemen's unity. The public rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, longtime coalition partners, represents one of the most significant geopolitical shifts in the nine-year Yemen conflict. It risks further fragmenting the country and complicating peace efforts. The situation is of profound concern to other regional powers, including Türkiye and Egypt, which prioritize state sovereignty and fear the consequences of a broader intra-Gulf conflict.