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Maduro has left but it is unclear who will be running Venezuela
Donald Trump praised the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as "stunning and powerful". But it is unclear who will be running this oil-rich nation. Trump claimed on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodrguez, a member of the cabal that controls the government in Venezuela, was sworn into office after Maduro’s arrest. He also said that she had spoken to U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio and that this led to speculations that she would be taking the reins. According to Venezuela's constitution Rodriguez will assume the role of acting president in the absence of Maduro. The country's highest court has ordered that she take on the role as late Saturday night. Rodriguez appeared on Venezuelan state television shortly after Trump made his remarks. She was flanked by her sister, Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, and Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Defense Minister. They all said that Maduro is Venezuela's sole president. The group that shares power with Maduro appears to be staying together for the time being. Trump said that he would not work with Maria Corina Machado - the opposition leader and Nobel Prize-winning Maria Corina Machado - who is widely regarded as Maduro’s most credible rival if she did not have any support in the country. International observers claim that despite Maduro’s government's claims of victory, Machado's stand-in candidate has won in a landslide. CIVILIAN-MILITARY POWER BALANCE Since more than a century, the real power in Venezuela is held by a few senior officials. Analysts and government officials claim that the system is based on a vast network of loyalists who are backed by security organs and corruption. In the inner circle there is a balance between civilians and military. Each member has his or her own patronage network and interests. Rodriguez and her brother currently represent the civilian side. Padrino, Cabello and other military personnel represent the civilian side. According to interviews conducted with former and current U.S. government officials, Venezuelan military analysts, U.S. military experts, and security consultants for Venezuela's opposition, this power structure makes it more difficult to dismantle Venezuela's present government than to remove Maduro. "You can remove any number of pieces from the Venezuelan government, but you would need multiple actors on different levels in order to make a difference," said a former U.S. Official involved in criminal investigations. Cabello is a big question mark. He exerts influence on the military and civil?counterintelligence agencies of the country, which are involved in widespread domestic espionage. Jose Garcia, Venezuelan military strategist, said that the focus was now on Diosdado Cabello. Because he is the most violent, ideological and unpredictable element in the Venezuelan regime. Both SEBIN (the civilian agency) and DGCIM (the military intelligence service) were found guilty of crimes against humanity by the United Nations as part a plan to suppress dissent. In interviews conducted before Maduro was captured, 11 former detainees -- including some security personnel who had been there themselves -- described the electric shocks and simulated drownings they experienced at DGCIM's black sites. A former DGCIM officer who had contact with military dissidents was arrested in 2020 and charged with treason. Cabello appeared on TV in recent weeks to order the DGCIM "to go and get the terrorists", and warn "whoever strays we will know". This was as the United States began its largest military buildup in Latin America for decades. In a Saturday appearance on state television, he repeated his rhetoric while wearing a flak-jacket and helmet, and surrounded with heavily armed guards. Cabello has also been closely linked with pro-government groups, including motorcycle-riding civilians armed on the streets known as colectivos. GENERALS CONTROL KEY AREAS Cabello, former military officer, and major player in socialist party, has influence on a "meaningful" fraction of Venezuela's armed forces despite the fact that Venezuela's military is formally led by Defense Minister Padrino since more than 10 years. Venezuela has 2,000 generals, admirals and other military officers. This is more than twice the number of the United States. Senior officers and retired officers are in charge of food distribution, raw materials, and the PDVSA state oil company, while dozens more generals serve on private firm boards. Defectors, current and former U.S. Investigators, and others say that military officials benefit from illicit trade beyond contracts. According to documents shared by an opposition security advisor with the U.S. Military and seen by, commanders close Cabello and Padrino have been assigned to key brigades near Venezuela's border and industrial hubs. While tactically important to the brigades, they also lie on major smuggling routes. A lawyer who represented a senior Venezuelan leader said that "there are between 20 and 50 officers who must leave the Venezuelan army, possibly even more," to remove this regime. Some may be thinking about jumping ship. The lawyer stated that approximately a dozen former and current officials had reached out to the U.S. after Maduro was captured, in order to make a deal by providing intelligence for safe passage and immunity. The lawyer stated that Cabello's close friends said he wasn't interested in negotiating a deal at this time.
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Investors and economists respond to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro by the US
After months of accusing Maduro of drug trafficking and unlegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its longtime President Nicolas Maduro, marking a dramatic increase in geopolitical pressures. In a Truth Social posting, Donald Trump said: "The United States of America successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro. He and his wife were captured and flew out of the country." Washington hasn't intervened in Latin America in this way since 1989, when it invaded Panama to remove military leader Manuel Noriega over similar accusations. Trump said in a later press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was working on the details. Trump has also said that he will come to the aid if the security forces fire on protesters in Iran. This comes after days of unrest in Iran which has resulted in several deaths and is the greatest internal threat for the Iranian authorities since years. The OPEC+ group, which includes Venezuela and Russia as well, will meet on Sunday to discuss crude oil output. Here are some comments from investors and economists: JAMIE COX, HARRIS FINANCIAL GROUPS, RICHMOND (VIRGINIA): "The market's reaction is likely to be muted. We?might receive some market-moving news tomorrow at the OPEC Meeting." The drillers and (shares of) Big Oil are likely to be bid up as speculation builds about the benefits of rebuilding Venezuela's?oil sector." HELIMA CROFT, HEAD OF GLOBAL COMMODITY STRATEGY AND MENA RESEARCH, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, NEW YORK: The U.S.'s track record of regime change and nation building is not unambiguous. BRIAN JACOBSEN, CHIEF ECONOMIC STRATEGIST, ANNEX MANAGEMENT BROOKFIELD WISCONSIN This was not a question of if, but when. From an investment perspective, it could unlock massive amounts of oil over time. This could serve as a warning for the Iranian leadership, and possibly even Russia, regarding the president's ability and willingness to effect change. When conflict begins, markets can swing from a risk-off to a risk-on mode. Oil markets may be the only ones to react, given how quickly the situation unfolded. "There have been many forecasts about a glut of oil on the market. This will only add to that." MARCHEL ALEXANDROVICH ECONOMIST, 'SALTMARSH ECONOMICS', LONDON The events remind us that geopolitical issues continue to dominate headlines and influence the markets. The markets have to deal with a much higher level of headline risk now than under previous U.S. administrations. administrations." TINA FORDHAM is the founder and geopolitical strategist at FORDHAM Global Foresight, London: "I'm expecting a sense of almost a boon, even though the history of postauthoritarian transitions has been bumpy and nonlinear." The American record in the Southern Hemisphere has also been patchy. There's a lot to be optimistic about in a post Maduro, post Chavez Venezuela. I think the reality will be more complicated. "I think that (for) the Monday opening, this will fuel animal spirits, as well as (the possibility of) change in Iran." "We have seen periodic protests in Iran, the regime is unpopular since a long time. This time it is gaining momentum. "These are two markets, the energy-producing and consumer markets that were previously off limits for international investors. They could now be opened up."
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Trump claims US oil companies are spending billions on Venezuela
Donald Trump announced that 'American oil companies are prepared to enter Venezuela to invest in restoring production, just hours after Nicolas Maduro had been captured by U.S. troops. Trump stated on Saturday that he would have the largest oil companies in the United States spend billions to fix infrastructure and oil infrastructure. They will also start earning money for the country. Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and others have long histories in Venezuela. API spokeswoman: "We are closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, including their?potential impact on global energy markets." Chevron exports around 150,000 bpd crude oil from Venezuela to the U.S. Gulf Coast. It is concerned about the safety of its employees and the integrity of their assets. Analysts?said that Trump's plan to get large U.S. companies into Venezuela to "get oil flowing" would be hampered by a lack of infrastructure, which will take many years and heavy investments. There are many questions about the Venezuelan oil sector, but it's clear that it will take tens or even hundreds of billions to turn it around, said Peter McNally of Third Bridge. He added that it may take at least 10 years for Western oil companies to commit to the country. Trump stated that the U.S. embargo against all Venezuelan oil remained in full force. Trump told reporters the U.S. forces would stay in place until U.S. demands were fully met. He said: "The American armada is still in place, and until the United States' demands are fully met and satisfied, we will retain all our military options." Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar and Richard Valdmanis; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Nathan Crooks, Editing by Frances Kerry
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Investors and economists respond to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro by the US
After months of accusing Maduro of drug trafficking and illegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its longtime President Nicolas Maduro, marking a 'dramatic escalation of geopolitical pressures. Donald Trump stated in a Truth Social posting that the United States of America had successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolas Maduro. He was captured, along with his spouse, and flown out of the country. Washington hasn't made a similar direct intervention in Latin America in the past 25 years, since it invaded Panama in 1989 in order to remove military leader Manuel Noriega over similar accusations. Trump said in a later press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was working on the details. The United States would run Venezuela as a group. Trump also said that he would come to the aid if the security forces in Iran fired at protesters, after days of unrest in Iran which has resulted in'several deaths and the biggest threat for Iranian authorities in many years. Here are some comments from investors and economists: HELIMA CROFT, HEAD OF GLOBAL COMMODITY STRATEGY ?AND MENA RESEARCH, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, NEW YORK: This is a huge undertaking given the decline in the oil industry over the past decades. Also, the U.S. track record of regime change and nation building has not been one of "unambiguous" success. BRIAN JACOBSEN CHIEF ECONOMIC STRATEGIST ANNEXWEALTH MANAGEMENT BROOKFIELD WISCONSIN This was not a question of if, but when. From an investment perspective, I'm certain?people will argue the legal and political?angles. But from a perspective of?investing, this could release massive quantities of oil over time. This could serve as a warning for the Iranian leadership, and possibly even Russia, regarding the president's ability and willingness to effect change. When conflict begins, markets often go into a risk-off mode, but quickly return to risk-on. Oil markets may be the only ones to react, given how quickly the situation unfolded. The oil market has been forecast to be glutted with supply, and this is just going to add more. MARCHEL ALEXANDROVICH ECONOMIST SALTMARSH ECONOMICS LONDON The events remind us that geopolitical tensions are still dominating headlines and driving the markets. The markets have to deal with a much higher level of headline risk now than under previous U.S. administrations. administrations." TINA FORDHAM IS THE FOUNDER OF FORDHAM GLOBAL FORESIGHT AND A STRATEGIC GEOPOLITICIAN. "A sense of almost a boona-ness, to me is likely to follow even though the history post-authoritarian transformations is bumpy and nonlinear. The?record of the United States in the Southern Hemisphere has also been patchy. There's a lot optimism in the air about Venezuela after Maduro and Chavez. I believe reality will be more messy. "I think that the Monday open will fuel the animal spirits and the possibility of change in Iran." "We have seen periodic protests in Iran, the regime is unpopular since a long time. This time it is gaining traction. "These are two markets, the energy-producing and consumer markets that were previously off limits for international investors. They could now be opened up."
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Mock House, CIA sources and Special Forces: the US operation to capture Maduro
On Saturday morning at 4:21, Donald Trump posted a message to his Truth Social platform. The United States had conducted a daring operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro as well as his wife. Sources familiar with the situation say that the planning of one of the most complicated U.S. operations to date had been underway for months, and detailed rehearsals were conducted. The Army's Delta Force and other elite U.S. soldiers created an exact replica Maduro’s safe house to?practice how they would enter this heavily fortified residence. According to a source familiar with this matter, the CIA sent a small team to the country in August. They were able provide insights into Maduro’s life pattern that made capturing him easy. Other sources confirmed that the agency had a close asset to Maduro, who would be monitoring his movements. He was also poised to pinpoint the exact location of Maduro as the operation unfolded. Trump had all the pieces ready four days earlier, but the military and intelligence planners recommended he wait until the weather was better and there were fewer clouds. The mission to capture Maduro began in the early morning hours of Saturday. Trump and his Mar-a-Lago Club advisers in Palm Beach, Florida watched the live stream with the operation. Interviews with four sources who are familiar with the operation and Trump's own revelations provide a detailed account of the unfolding hours-long event. Trump told Fox News that he had "done some pretty good missions, but I have never seen anything quite like this" just a few hours after the mission ended. OPERATION 'MASSIVE Pentagon oversees massive military buildup in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier and 11 warships, as well as more than 12 F-35 aircraft. More than 15,000 US troops have been deployed to the Caribbean for what U.S. officials call anti-drug missions. One source claims that Stephen Miller, a senior aide to Trump, Secretary of 'State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, formed a core group of people who worked on the issue over months, sometimes through regular - and even daily - phone calls and meetings. They also often met with the president. According to a U.S. official, late on Friday night into early Saturday morning, Trump and his advisers were huddled together as several U.S. planes took off to strike targets in and around Caracas. This included air defense systems. General Dan Caine told reporters that more than 150 aircraft took off from 20 bases in the Western Hemisphere. These included F-35, F-22 and B-1 fighter jets. Trump said on Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends" that "we had a fighter plane for every situation." Sources claim that the Pentagon has also moved quietly into the area to refuel air tankers and drones, as well as aircraft specializing electronic jamming. Officials from the United States said that airstrikes were carried out on military targets. At the La Carlota Air Base in Caracas, images showed charred military vehicles from Venezuelan anti-aircraft units. Special Forces from the United States travelled to Caracas, heavily armed and equipped with a blowtorch, in case they needed to cut through the steel doors of Maduro's office. Caine reported that the troops were fired on as they arrived at Maduro’s compound around 1 am EST. One helicopter was damaged, but still able fly. Residents posted videos on social media showing a low-altitude helicopter convoy flying over Caracas. When they arrived at Maduro’s safe house, the troops and FBI agents made their way into the residence. Trump called it a “very well-guarded... fortress." Trump stated, "They broke in and broke into places where they were not really able be broken into. You know, steel door that were placed there just for this purpose." "They were taken out within a matter of seconds." MADURO IN CUSTODY Caine claimed that Maduro and wife surrendered once they were inside the safe house. Trump claimed that the Venezuelan leader tried unsuccessfully to get into a safe room. Trump said, "He tried to get in it but got so rushed that he couldn't." Trump claimed that some U.S. troops were struck, but no one was killed. Rubio began to notify lawmakers as the operation progressed. Officials said that notifications began only after the operation had begun and not earlier, as it is usual for lawmakers with oversight roles. Caine stated that the troops were engaged in "multiple self-defense engagements" as they left Venezuelan territory. By 3:20 am EST the helicopters had reached water with Maduro on board. Trump posted another message on Truth Social almost exactly seven hours after announcing the operation. This time, it was a photo of a captured Venezuelan leader who was blindfolded, handcuffed, and wearing gray sweatpants. Trump tweeted, "Nicolas Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima," referring to this amphibious assault vessel. (Reporting and editing by Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis, Steve Holland, Errees Banco and Idrees Al)
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The US operation to capture Maduro: Mock house, CIA sources and Special Forces
On Saturday morning at 4:21, U.S. president Donald Trump posted a message to his Truth Social platform. The United States had successfully carried out an daring mission in order to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as well as his wife. Sources familiar with the situation say that the planning of one of the most complicated U.S. operations to date had been underway for some time, and detailed rehearsals were conducted. The Army's Delta Force and other elite U.S. soldiers created an exact replica Maduro’s safe house. They then practiced entering the heavily fortified residence. According to a source familiar with this matter, the CIA sent a small team to the country in August. They were able provide insights into Maduro’s life pattern that made capturing him easy. Other sources confirmed that the agency had an agent close to Maduro, who would be monitoring his movements. He was also poised to pinpoint Maduro's exact location during the operation. Trump had all the pieces ready four days earlier, but the military and intelligence planners recommended he wait until the weather was better and there were fewer clouds. The mission to capture Maduro began in the early morning hours of Saturday. Trump and his advisers gathered at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida to watch a live feed of the operation. Interviews with four sources who are familiar with the issue and Trump's own revelations provide a detailed account of the operation. Trump told Fox News that he had "done some pretty good missions, but I have never seen anything quite like this" just hours after completing the mission. OPERATION 'MASSIVE Pentagon has overseen massive military build-up in Caribbean. They have sent an aircraft carrier, eleven warships, and over a dozen F-35s. More than 15,000 US troops have been deployed to the Caribbean for what U.S. officials call 'anti-drug operations. One source claims that Stephen Miller, a senior aide to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, formed a core group which worked?on this issue for months, holding regular - and sometimes 'daily' - phone calls and meetings. The team often met with the President. According to a U.S. official, Trump and his advisors were huddled late Friday night into early Saturday as several U.S. planes took off to strike targets in and around Caracas. This included air defense systems. Trump said that the number of U.S. planes involved in the attack was "massive" on Fox News Channel. Trump stated that "we had a fighter plane for every situation." Sources claim that the Pentagon has quietly sent drones, air tankers and electronic jamming aircraft to the area, in addition fighter jets. Officials from the United States said that airstrikes were carried out on military targets. At the La Carlota air base in Caracas, images showed burned military vehicles of a Venezuelan anti aircraft unit. U.S. Special Forces entered Caracas during the strikes, heavily armed and equipped with a torch to help them cut through any steel doors in Maduro’s office. Residents posted videos on social media showing a group of helicopters hovering low over Caracas. Officials have not said how they entered the city. When they arrived at Maduro’s safe house, the troops and FBI agents made their way into the residence. Trump called it a “very well-guarded... fortress." Trump said, "They broke in and broke into places where they were not really able be broken into. You know, steel door that were there just for this purpose." "They were taken out within seconds." MADURO IN CUSTODY Trump claimed that Maduro had tried unsuccessfully to reach a safe-room after the U.S. troops entered the home. Trump said, "He tried to get in it but got so rushed that he couldn't." Trump claimed that some U.S. troops?were struck, but no one was killed. Rubio began to notify lawmakers as the operation progressed. Officials said that notifications began only after the operation had begun and not earlier, as it is usual for lawmakers with oversight roles. Maduro is still in Caracas. Trump claimed that a helicopter was "pretty badly" hit but managed to return. The Venezuelan leader has been flown aboard the USS Iwo-Jima, a amphibious assault vessel, to be transported to New York for trial. Reporting by Idrees Al, Erin Banco and Steve Holland; editing by Don Durfee & Daniel Wallis
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Investors and economists respond to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro by the US
After months of accusing Maduro?of drug running and illegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela and captured its long serving President Nicolas Maduro, marking a dramatic increase in geopolitical pressures. Donald Trump stated in a Truth Social posting that "the United States of America has successfully carried out a massive strike against Venezuela, and its leader President Nicolas Maduro.?He, along with his spouse, have been captured and flown outside the country." Washington hasn't intervened in Latin America in this way since 1989, when it invaded Panama to remove military leader Manuel Noriega over similar accusations. Trump also threatened to intervene if security forces shot at protesters in Iran, days after unrest left many dead. This is the greatest internal threat to Iranian authorities for years. Here are some comments from investors and economists: BRIAN JACOBSEN, CHIEF ECONOMIC STRATEGIST, ANNEX MANAGEMENT BROOKFIELD WISCONSIN This was a matter of when and not if. From an investment perspective, it could unlock massive amounts of oil over time. This could serve as a warning for the Iranian leadership, and possibly even the?Russian leadership, regarding the president's ability and willingness to effect change. When conflict begins, markets often go into a risk-off mode, but quickly return to a risk-on mode. Oil markets may be the only ones to react, given how quickly the situation unfolded. "There have been many forecasts about a glut of oil on the market. This will only add to that." MARCHEL ALEXANDROVICH ECONOMIST SALTMARSH ECONOMICS LONDON The events remind us that geopolitical issues continue to dominate headlines and influence the markets. The unresolved tensions over U.S. trade tariffs to Ukraine, Iran and Taiwan, as well as Venezuela are all causing the markets to be forced to "cope with significant headline risk" that they were not used to during the previous U.S. administrations." TINA FORDHAM is the founder and a?geopolitical?strategist at FORDHAM Global Foresight, LONDON. "I'm expecting a sense of almost a boon, despite the fact that post-authoritarian transformations are a very bumpy and nonlinear history. The track record of the United States in the Southern Hemisphere has also been patchy. I sense?a lot of optimism regarding a post Maduro, post Chavez Venezuela. I believe reality will be more messy. "I think that (for) the Monday opening, this will?fuel animal spirits and the possibility of change in Iran." "We have seen periodic protests in Iran, the regime is unpopular since a long time. This time it is gaining momentum. "These are two markets, the energy-producing and consumer markets that were previously off limits for international investors. They could now be opened up."
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Zelenskiy suggests Shmyhal to be Ukraine's next energy minister
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's president, said that he had proposed Denys Shmyhal as the country's first deputy prime minister and energy minister. Zelenskiy called on Ukrainian legislators to support Shmyhal as the country's new energy minister. He said that Shmyhal's experience is vital for ensuring stability in the sector of power amid increasing Russian attacks. Zelenskiy posted a picture on Telegram of him with Shmyhal, the former prime minister, to show that he was urging lawmakers in Ukraine to support Shmyhal as the new energy minister, saying that his experience would be vital for ensuring stability in the power sector amid intensifying Russian attacks. Since the start of the war, Russia has repeatedly bombarded Ukraine's energy industry with missiles and drones. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure in recent months. This has led to long blackouts throughout the country, especially during the critical winter months. Shmyhal is one of Ukraine's most experienced officials. Analysts praise him for his ability to maintain economic stability and run the government efficiently after Russia invaded in February 2022. He served as Ukraine's longest serving prime minister from July 2020 to July 2025. In that time, he became the defence minister. Major Shake-Up in Key Sectors Shmyhal's nomination comes at the same time as Zelenskiy has launched a major shake up of the Ukrainian Defence sector and Security Forces. Zelenskiy nominated a newly appointed defence minister and named Kyrylo Budanov, the popular head of military intelligence. This reshuffle comes after the biggest political crisis in Ukraine since World War II, which was caused by a corruption scandal in Ukraine's energy sector. Zelenskiy’s former head of office was dismissed. The scandal also led to the resignation of the Justice and Energy Ministers. Zelenskiy stated that the changes are needed to strengthen Ukraine's resilience?as it faces a crucial moment in its attempts to end the war with Russia. As U.S. president Donald Trump presses Kyiv and Moscow for a solution to the war, Ukrainian negotiators are pressing for guarantees of security from the United States. On Saturday, national security advisors from over 18 countries met in Kyiv to discuss details of the security guarantees and economic agreement on Ukraine's recovery after war. Ukraine's Parliament must approve Zelenskiy’s nominations for energy and defence Ministers.
UAE urges restraint in the face of rapidly evolving Yemen crisis
United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that it was deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of violence in Yemen, after Saudi-backed forces invaded areas captured?last week by UAE-backed separatists from the south seeking independence.
Rapidly moving
Crisis in Yemen
Has opened a?
major ?feud
Between the two Gulf Powers and the
Coalition of Forces
The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, is being fought by a government that has been internationally recognized.
In a statement, the UAE said Yemenis must exercise restraint in order to maintain security and stability.
The announcement came just hours after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council announced that it would hold an election.
referendum on independence
In two years, its forces have been ejected from important areas that they suddenly seize last month.
ESCALATION
Saudi-backed forces announced on Friday that they had taken control over key locations in Hadramout. This is a large province with desert stretches along the Saudi border. On Saturday, witnesses reported they had entered portions of the capital of the region, Mukalla.
Yemen has been divided for over a decade into warring regions. It is strategically located between Saudi Arabia, the top oil exporter in the world, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which guards the important sea route connecting Europe to Asia.
STC is part of the internationally recognized government which controls southern and eastern Yemen. Gulf states support this government against Houthis.
Rashad Al-Alimi the head of the Presidential Council said that he asked Saudi Arabia for a forum in order to solve the Southern issue. He added that he hoped all southern factions would come together.
The crisis started early last month, when the STC seized large swathes including Hadramout. They now have control of the entire territory of the former state of South Yemen which merged with north Yemen in 1990.
The leaders of the internationally recognized government, which was based in Aden, and which included several ministers who were part of the STC, left for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia viewed the southern movement as a threat against its security.
The crisis has triggered the
Big Split
Years of divergence between Saudi Arabia and the UAE on key issues reached a boiling point, threatening the regional order.
The extent to which the dispute over regional security issues has impacted other areas may be revealed over the weekend when both countries attend a scheduled
OPEC meeting
Determine the output policy of the group.
Saudi Arabia attacked a base near Hadramout early this week and ordered all UAE forces still in Yemen to leave.
Red line
The UAE agreed.
The STC's declaration of Friday, that it wanted a two-year period of transition leading to an independence referendum for a South Arabian state, was its clearest indication to date about the movement’s intention to secede. (Reporting and editing by Maha El-Dahan, Enas Al-Alashray, Angus McDowall)
(source: Reuters)