Together with Abu Dhabi, Riyadh sets up a new Yemeni Presidential Council

Abu Dhabi imposes its control of Red Sea on Aden 

Keen to gradually take control of strategic positions on the Red Sea, Abu Dhabi is speeding up its agenda in Yemen and is unhesitant about acting alone without consulting Riyadh.

MBS spares veteran spymaster Khaled bin Ali Al Humaidan in Saudi shake up 

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed prime minister in September, has made another step towards the title of king. He is meanwhile ushering his young guard into the bastions of power - except for the intelligence service, which remains untouched.

Al Naamani, still at Oman's security helm, tries to save Yemen ceasefire 

Despite the political rivalries in Oman, Mohammed Al Naamani remains firmly in place as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's security chief. He has recently been instructed to continue with his mediation with Saudi Arabia on Yemen.

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Saudi strategists sceptical of Yemen truce 

While the month of Ramadan is meant to deliver an unprecedented halt to hostilities in Yemen, regional intelligence services remain on alert, fearful of future actions by Houthi militiamen.

Riyadh and Muscat lock horns over Iranian weapon deliveries 

Oman's intelligence services, which are meant to be cracking down on the smuggling of Iranian weapons between the sultanate and Yemen, have yet again been caught out after the discovery of a missile shipment. Riyadh is alarmed by potential flaws in the Omani security apparatus.

Pro-UAE Yemenis enlist services of adviser in Washington 

The Southern Transitional Council, which readily asserts its position among Yemen's anti-Houthi forces, has sent an envoy to the US capital to advocate on its behalf and report back to both Aden and Abu Dhabi.

Egypt sends troops to Yemen in hopes of protecting Suez Canal 

Anxious to back its ally, the UAE, Egypt has agreed to send ten soldiers to Yemen to help government forces combat the Houthi fighters. The move is also aimed at improving maritime security near the important shipping lane.

Houthis appoint new general staff in battle for strategic town Maarib 

Still determined to seize the strategic town of Maarib, the Houthis are reorganising their troops and counting on their spymaster Abu Ali al-Haqem to ensure infiltration of the local tribal community. Meanwhile, loyalist forces are moving quickly to redeploy troops from Hodeida to Maarib in order to prepare a solid defence.