Tension in Yemen: Airspace Closures Amid Southern Separatists' Advances

Yemen's airspace was temporarily closed as tensions rose with separatist movements backed by the UAE seizing key oil-rich regions. The Saudi-led coalition, controlling the airspace since 2015, halted flights from the city of Aden. These developments signify potential fractures within the anti-Houthi alliance.

The airspace above war-torn Yemen was temporarily shut down Monday, as tensions heightened in the southern region. An official disclosed that the closure followed the takeover of an oil-rich area by a UAE-backed separatist group, threatening the cohesion of the anti-Houthi alliance.

The Saudi-led coalition, which has overseen Yemen's airspace since 2015, briefly suspended flights to and from Aden, the government's temporary seat. This was seen as a response to the Southern Transitional Council's expansion in the south, notably in the oil-abundant Hadhramaut province. The suspension was lifted following hours of disruption.

Observers note these military advances by the STC, a UAE-supported faction, mark a significant shift in Yemen's conflict landscape. The potential fragmentation of the coalition poses security concerns, as analysts highlight the UAE's growing influence, questioning Saudi Arabia's subsequent strategic decisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)