Rashad al-Alimi

Force in Play

Leading Yemen's internationally recognized government from Riyadh

Saudi Arabia and the UAE fought a proxy war in Yemen in January 2026 when UAE-backed separatists seized Aden and the oil fields. Saudi-backed forces crushed the rebellion within a week; the STC announced dissolution on January 9 but immediately rejected it.

Updated May 20

Force in Play

Leading Saudi-backed government, declared 90-day emergency, facing rebellion from half his own council

Saudi Arabia bombed a port on December 30 to destroy weapons the UAE had shipped to the Southern Transitional Council, which had just seized 80% of Yemen's oil reserves. A vessel named Greenland had disabled its tracking system after leaving Fujairah on December 22 and unloaded combat vehicles and weapons at Mukalla on December 28 for the STC.

Updated May 18