UAE Reportedly Agrees to Resume Support for Yemeni Government Forces as Regional Conflict Intensifies

• by Shimanta Das
• October 20, 2026

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly agreed to re-enter the Yemen conflict by resuming financial support for select government forces battling Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in the south, according to sources in Yemen. The reported arrangement, first surfaced on 18 October 2026, also involves Saudi Arabia providing air support to anti-Houthi forces, marking a potential step toward easing tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over Yemen’s future. The cooperation comes as advances by the Iran-backed group raise alarm among Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia facing daily drone and missile attacks that have immobilised its airports and some energy infrastructure, straining efforts to maintain normality.

The resumption of UAE support for the Giant Brigades—southern forces previously trained and financed by Abu Dhabi—is considered crucial to the coalition’s military efforts. These forces are regarded as some of the most effective in the disjointed anti-Houthi coalition. Despite massive losses, the Houthis remain determined to eventually capture Taiz and Marib, described as “the two remaining cities outside the boundaries of the old Southern Yemen.” The arrangement could strengthen efforts by anti-Houthi forces to regain territory, though divisions among rival factions remain a major challenge.

Analysts suggest that the renewed UAE-Saudi cooperation could bolster the coalition’s ability to counter Houthi advances, but whether the latest arrangement can translate into sustained military gains remains uncertain. The Houthis’ resilience and the fragmented nature of the anti-Houthi alliance continue to pose significant obstacles. The reported deal signals a potential realignment of Gulf strategies in Yemen, but its effectiveness will depend on sustained coordination and overcoming internal rivalries. As the regional conflict intensifies, the international community watches closely to see if this renewed support can alter the balance of power in Yemen’s protracted war.