Saudi Arabia welcomed the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) troop withdrawal in Yemen, but tensions will remain while Abu Dhabi backs separatists there, a source close to the Saudi government said on Wednesday.
Riyadh's position is "wait and see" after the UAE announced a pullout on Tuesday, under pressure over a sweeping advance by the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which Abu Dhabi backs.
Hours before the UAE's announcement, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen bombed an Emirati weapons shipment to the STC, and Riyadh endorsed a 24-hour deadline issued by Yemen's presidential council leader for UAE forces to leave.
"It's a good de-escalation step, but how will it play out?" the source told AFP on condition of anonymity, referring to the UAE withdrawal.
"Saudi wants to see if UAE will halt supporting the separatists," he added.
The Southern Transitional Council's forces have swept through divided Yemen's government-run areas this month, seizing much of resource-rich Hadramawt bordering Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Mahra province.
The rapid advance spells fresh upheaval for Yemen after more than a decade of war between the Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels who forced the government from the capital Sanaa in 2014.
It has also jolted Saudi peace negotiations with the Houthis and drawn simmering tensions with the UAE, Saudi's neighbour and fellow oil power, into public view.
"With the withdrawal, we will have to wait and see what that means," the source said.
"What counts is their support to the separatists... we will have to see if (the UAE) are serious," he added.
Abu Dhabi on Tuesday denied being behind the advance by the separatists, who insisted they were not about to withdraw from their newly captured territories.
The UAE joined the Saudi coalition against the Houthis in 2015 but withdrew most of its forces four years later, leaving only a limited number in Yemen. It has continued to provide critical support to the STC however.
Other countries in the region have weighed in on the unprecedented conflict between erstwhile allies the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
Earlier on Wednesday, Jordan issued a statement saying it supports efforts for de-escalation, calling for respect for Yemen's safety and sovereignty.
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was following the developments, while its ambassador to Yemen, Fouad al-Majali, said: "The Kingdom appreciates the keenness of Saudi Arabia and the UAE on working towards stability and sovereignty in Yemen".
"Jordan appreciates Saudi Arabia and the UAE's efforts in addressing the situation in Yemen, which reflects their historical ties and interests, based on promoting brotherhood, partnership and Arab solidarity," he added.