The split has triggered a violent power shift in southern Yemen. Although the announcement was brief, it exposed mounting pressure on southern leaders as Saudi Arabia pushes for full subordination to the PLC. “Saudi Arabia felt those Emirati moves boxed it in strategically, particularly in relation to Jeddah, the Red Sea, and Saudi Arabia’s maritime security,” al-Majd said. “The growing split between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen is mainly a political problem,” he said. In contrast to their Red Sea adventurism, on the mainland, the Houthis have largely avoided major offensives, instead consolidating their stronghold in northern Yemen.