Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once allies against Yemen's Houthis, are now in a significant rift. The UAE supports the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which recently seized territory, while Saudi Arabia backs the internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia's bombing of a port city after an alleged UAE weapons shipment to separatists escalated tensions. The STC has declared its intention to hold an independence referendum, as Saudi-backed forces attempt to regain territory. The conflict involves Houthi-controlled north and STC-controlled south.