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International Report: Saudi Arabia Accused of Empowering Al-Islah Party and Reshaping the Balance of Power in Yemen

REPORTS - منذ 15 ساعة

Ain Al-Janoub

An analysis published by the Middle East Forum and written by Fernando Carvajal stated that “Saudi Arabia is once again returning to its old habits, seemingly unaffected by any lessons learned since the outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in March 2015, by empowering the Al-Islah Party, which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, in Yemeni provinces liberated from Houthi control.”

The analysis added that “in December 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered his Saudi proxies to move against the Southern forces led by Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, which had taken control of Hadramout Governorate. To eliminate what was considered a threat, Saudi Arabia not only launched airstrikes against the Southern forces, but also mobilized dozens of units led by commanders affiliated with the Al-Islah Party and Salafi leaders.”

The analysis further argued that “the rebalancing of the governing equation in February 2026 turned Saudi strategy upside down, as it undermined the Riyadh Agreement and weakened the concept of partnership within the Presidential Leadership Council. This shift also marginalized the Southern cause and reshuffled the balance of power, despite the fact that Al-Islah’s influence in the South had been declining since 2019. However, Mohammed bin Salman reversed this equation in a hasty move that began with a conflict sparked by Hadramout Deputy Governor Amr bin Habrish.”

The report pointed out that “although the Southern Transitional Council and the General People’s Congress, the former ruling party, lost important positions, Al-Islah may ultimately emerge as the biggest loser despite Saudi efforts to bring it back to the forefront. First, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may soon move to designate the group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Second, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that no Yemeni faction should place its trust in it.”

The analysis concluded that “tensions are likely to escalate in the coming weeks in the South amid ongoing popular protests against the ban imposed on the Southern Transitional Council. Saudi-backed forces and Al-Islah forces have once again responded to these protests by using live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators, increasing the likelihood of a major uprising that Al-Islah may ultimately pay the price for.”