Saudi Influence in Southern Yemen Between Strategy and Regional Security

Southern Yemen today represents one of the most sensitive areas for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its strategic geographic location intersects with Riyadh’s security and economic interests and constitutes a pivotal arena in the regional power struggle across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Gulf. Since the outset of the Yemeni crisis, Saudi Arabia has sought to expand its presence in the south through a range of strategies, including political support for local leaders, the provision of economic assistance aimed at creating strategic dependency, and the strengthening of its military influence to secure control over vital maritime routes and key ports.

• From supporting allies to managing chaos: a critical reading of the Saudi role in southern Yemen

• Saudi intervention in southern Yemen: from conflict management to the creation of a new political reality

In its intervention, the Kingdom has focused on building a loyal political base capable of safeguarding its interests, while southern society remains fragmented and characterized by diverse political and military affiliations. This reality renders any Saudi intervention particularly challenging, as attempts to reshape influence require a delicate balance between the use of power and reliance on local alliances, reflecting the depth and complexity of the political landscape in southern Yemen.

Saudi security concerns extend beyond traditional border considerations. They encompass monitoring the movements of armed militias, containing Houthi activity, and protecting ports and maritime corridors from potential threats. Riyadh also seeks to counter the growing influence of Iran and Turkey in the region, making its intervention not merely a tool for advancing local interests but part of a broader strategy aimed at reshaping the regional balance of power and ensuring a stable strategic position.

• Behind the scene in southern Yemen: how Saudi Arabia manages influence quietly and reshapes the players

• Southern Yemen in regional calculations: how Saudi intervention shifted from supporting stability to managing disorder

Recent regional transformations play a decisive role in shaping the nature and scope of Saudi intervention, particularly in light of evolving U.S. positions and the new regional balances imposed by other powers. In this context, Saudi Arabia has adopted a dual policy that combines military pressure with diplomatic engagement, while investing in relationships with local leadership to sustain its influence without becoming entangled in prolonged confrontations. This approach demonstrates Riyadh’s flexibility in responding to unforeseen developments.

Nevertheless, this strategy faces significant challenges. Southern society is marked by multiple internal divisions, and conflicts among tribes and armed factions may turn any Saudi initiative into an additional source of instability. Hence the importance for Riyadh of building strong and adaptable local proxies capable of advancing its interests on the ground while simultaneously working to de-escalate tensions and prevent any escalation that could undermine local or regional stability.

• The Million March of Steadfastness: Southern Yemen confronts the return of Brotherhood militias

• Saudi intervention in southern Yemen: reshaping power between influence and chaos

Saudi intervention in southern Yemen thus represents a vivid case study of the intersection between security imperatives and political ambitions, between the pursuit of direct influence and the management of complex local alliances. As the Kingdom continues to play a central role in reshaping the southern landscape, the question of its ability to safeguard its strategic interests within a constantly evolving and fragmented environment—without becoming embroiled in open conflicts or further destabilizing the region—remains a genuine test of its capacity to manage sensitive regional affairs.

• Southern Yemen under Saudi pressure: the struggle between control and stability

• Southern Yemen between regional influence and local control: the struggle between stability and power

• Southern Yemen between Saudi airstrikes and support for the Muslim Brotherhood: an open wound threatening civilians

• When security turns into coercion: Southern Yemen between the failure of force and the absence of politics

• The sky turns into a killing field: investigation into Saudi airstrikes on civilians in southern Yemen

• Security and the social fabric under Saudi airstrikes in southern Yemen

• Security-disguised invasion: How Saudi intervention in southern Yemen became a project of chaos and terrorism empowerment