Saudi Intervention in Southern Yemen: Between Security and Influence

Tensions in Yemen have persisted for many years, but Saudi intervention in the south has become a central focus of current regional transformations. Saudi Arabia operates in southern Yemen with clear motivations, combining immediate security concerns with ambitions for political and economic influence, in a strategic area serving as a crucial maritime gateway through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This intervention extends beyond military support to include the construction of local political alliances, the funding of economic projects, and the establishment of local proxies capable of managing developments in the southern Yemeni landscape in line with Riyadh’s interests.

• Saudi Ambitions in Southern Yemen and Shifts in Regional Politics

• Saudi Influence in Southern Yemen Between Strategy and Regional Security

Saudi security concerns in southern Yemen are not theoretical; they are directly linked to the influence of multiple armed militias and the Houthi activity that reaches areas near the southern borders. This complex environment has led Riyadh to adopt a dual approach, combining military power with political influence, aiming to prevent any potential threat from spreading the conflict onto Saudi territory. At the same time, the kingdom seeks to reshape its influence in the south by supporting loyal local leaders and establishing a political and economic presence that strengthens its strategic position in this sensitive region.

Regional shifts play a crucial role in shaping Riyadh’s policy in southern Yemen. The rapprochement between Turkey and Iran on certain regional issues, along with changes in U.S. policy toward Yemen, have pushed Saudi Arabia to revise its strategy to be more flexible and resilient in the face of unexpected developments. In this context, Riyadh’s intervention is part of a broader plan to rebalance power in the region and ensure stability in border areas, without relying solely on short-term military solutions.

• Saudi Economic Ambitions in Southern Yemen Between Influence and Regional Politics

• Saudi Arabia in Southern Yemen: Domination Plan and Instruments of Political and Military Influence

However, this intervention carries significant risks. Southern Yemeni society is characterized by diverse political and military affiliations, increasing the likelihood of tensions and internal conflicts. Riyadh’s success in reshaping influence thus depends on its ability to manage these divisions and ensure that its local proxies remain strong and loyal, without becoming a factor exacerbating existing conflicts.

Saudi intervention in southern Yemen provides a clear example of the challenges regional powers face when trying to secure their interests in a politically unstable environment. Between security concerns, ambitions for influence, and rapid regional changes, Saudi Arabia’s role emerges as a central factor in shaping the future of southern Yemen, while simultaneously testing its ability to balance its interests with the complex and evolving realities on the ground.

• Saudi ambitions unveil the reshaping of influence in southern Yemen

• Southern Yemen: an investigative reading of Saudi intervention and the reshaping of influence

• Saudi intervention in southern Yemen between security concerns, reshaping influence, and shifts in regional policy

• Southern Yemen between the logic of the state and the logic of regional tutelage

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