Kuala Lampur, Jan. 7 -- Full-scale warfare in Yemen may seem distant from Southeast Asia, but the recent turn of events in the Arabian Peninsula demands Southeast Asian strategic attention - especially from Asean's chairs past, present and future.

What began as a coalition campaign to counter Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels has now morphed into a contest among supposed allies, exposing a fragile Saudi-UAE partnership and complicating the very architecture of Gulf stability.

Last week, Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia recaptured key governorates in southern Yemen - including Hadramout and al-Mahra - from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC).

These territories, crucial for thei...