Iona Craig
@ionacraig.com
Journalist + OSINT airstrikes data @yemendataproject.org
Mostly Yemen/Arabian Peninsula since 2010. Once-upon-a-time I trained racehorses.
www.patreon.com/ionacraig
https://linktr.ee/ionacraig
Mostly Yemen/Arabian Peninsula since 2010. Once-upon-a-time I trained racehorses.
www.patreon.com/ionacraig
https://linktr.ee/ionacraig
Pinned
Iona Craig
@ionacraig.com
· Jan 8
For those trying to catch up on Yemen events, the Saudi-UAE confrontation and work out what's been going on, try this for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/theo...
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
Reposted by Iona Craig
🔗 Read the full investigation here: raseef22.net/article/1101... 🧵 5/5
raseef22.net
February 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM
🔗 Read the full investigation here: raseef22.net/article/1101... 🧵 5/5
Such important work on Yemen by Mohammed Hafeez.
Yemen’s fisheries are at risk of collapse. Journalist Mohammad Hafeez deterred threats he received while reporting by securing his sensitive information with Forbidden Stories’ #SafeBoxNetwork. He investigated how fish-grinding factories... 🧵 1/5
February 6, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Such important work on Yemen by Mohammed Hafeez.
On this day 15 years ago in Sana’a, Yemen.
27 January 2011. The start of what was to be a very long year of witnessing history unravelling.
27 January 2011. The start of what was to be a very long year of witnessing history unravelling.
January 27, 2026 at 9:23 PM
On this day 15 years ago in Sana’a, Yemen.
27 January 2011. The start of what was to be a very long year of witnessing history unravelling.
27 January 2011. The start of what was to be a very long year of witnessing history unravelling.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the STC’s failed Southern Arabia ambitions have been replaced by southern Yemen being more aptly named: Southern Saudi Arabia. The kingdom now controls the government, the military and all entry and exit. Annexation is a strong word but it’s not far off the mark
January 22, 2026 at 4:57 PM
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the STC’s failed Southern Arabia ambitions have been replaced by southern Yemen being more aptly named: Southern Saudi Arabia. The kingdom now controls the government, the military and all entry and exit. Annexation is a strong word but it’s not far off the mark
The fallout from the Saudi-UAE confrontation that began in Yemen is now playing out in Sudan:
'Journalist Eiad Husham reports...“UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has increased” following recent developments in Yemen and is “expected to reach unprecedented levels in the coming weeks.”'
'Journalist Eiad Husham reports...“UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has increased” following recent developments in Yemen and is “expected to reach unprecedented levels in the coming weeks.”'
💢 New: Intelligence assessments point to expanded UAE backing for Sudan’s RSF, amid Saudi red lines on SAF support, journalist reports
📌 Journalist Eiad Husham reports that intelligence assessments from several countries, including one member of the Quad, indicate “UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid...
📌 Journalist Eiad Husham reports that intelligence assessments from several countries, including one member of the Quad, indicate “UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid...
January 22, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The fallout from the Saudi-UAE confrontation that began in Yemen is now playing out in Sudan:
'Journalist Eiad Husham reports...“UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has increased” following recent developments in Yemen and is “expected to reach unprecedented levels in the coming weeks.”'
'Journalist Eiad Husham reports...“UAE support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has increased” following recent developments in Yemen and is “expected to reach unprecedented levels in the coming weeks.”'
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Climate Investigations Training Scholarship 2026
The CIJ is offering a Climate Investigations Training Scholarship in 2026. We're looking for 10 experienced journalists who want to upskill and use investigative techniques to produce deeper and m...
tcij.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Great opportunity from @tcij.org for climate investigations training.
For early-mid career journalists with some experience in working on environmental or climate issues and who live/work in Africa, Latin America, West Asia ( 🇦🇲 🇦🇿🇧🇭🇨🇾 🇬🇪🇮🇶🇮🇱 🇯🇴 🇰🇼 🇱🇧 🇴🇲🇵🇸🇶🇦 🇸🇦🇸🇾🇹🇷🇦🇪🇾🇪) and South Asia (🇦🇫 🇧🇩🇧🇹🇮🇳🇮🇷🇲🇻🇳🇵🇵🇰🇱🇰).
Deadline 11 Feb.
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Even the UAE’s football club is getting humiliated. Can’t blame the Saudis for this one…
Manchester City Lose to Bodo/Glimt in UCL Action: Reaction & Media
https://www.eucup.com/1464480/
Manchester City suffer a truly disastrous loss in Norway to Bodo. The result hurts the Cityzens opportunity for a top eight finish in the UCL table. The performances were quite bad and outside …
https://www.eucup.com/1464480/
Manchester City suffer a truly disastrous loss in Norway to Bodo. The result hurts the Cityzens opportunity for a top eight finish in the UCL table. The performances were quite bad and outside …
Manchester City Lose to Bodo/Glimt in UCL Action: Reaction & Media - European Football - EUCUP.COM
Manchester City suffer a truly disastrous loss in Norway to Bodo. The result hurts the Cityzens opportunity for a top eight finish in the UCL table. The
www.eucup.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Even the UAE’s football club is getting humiliated. Can’t blame the Saudis for this one…
MbS is now going after the UAE’s gold supply chain. The KSA-UAE confrontation was already well beyond ‘Gulf tensions’ but this is the next level.
Saudi Arabia’s state-run gold refinery says it is ready to begin immediate purchases of Sudanese bullion, as Khartoum moves to redirect gold exports away from UAE to curb smuggling & boost state revenue, Sudan Tribune reports. Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity showing the UAE...
January 20, 2026 at 12:23 AM
MbS is now going after the UAE’s gold supply chain. The KSA-UAE confrontation was already well beyond ‘Gulf tensions’ but this is the next level.
Reposted by Iona Craig
Annual review of Yemen airstrikes.
In 2025 @yemendataproject.org recorded:
⚠️Highest number of civilian casualties since 2022
⚠️US responsible for >50% of 1,334 civilian casualties
⚠️Highest child death toll since 2020
⚠️Israeli strikes resulted in highest ever rate of civilian harm
👉 t.co/MV8uEQO33E
In 2025 @yemendataproject.org recorded:
⚠️Highest number of civilian casualties since 2022
⚠️US responsible for >50% of 1,334 civilian casualties
⚠️Highest child death toll since 2020
⚠️Israeli strikes resulted in highest ever rate of civilian harm
👉 t.co/MV8uEQO33E
January 19, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Annual review of Yemen airstrikes.
In 2025 @yemendataproject.org recorded:
⚠️Highest number of civilian casualties since 2022
⚠️US responsible for >50% of 1,334 civilian casualties
⚠️Highest child death toll since 2020
⚠️Israeli strikes resulted in highest ever rate of civilian harm
👉 t.co/MV8uEQO33E
In 2025 @yemendataproject.org recorded:
⚠️Highest number of civilian casualties since 2022
⚠️US responsible for >50% of 1,334 civilian casualties
⚠️Highest child death toll since 2020
⚠️Israeli strikes resulted in highest ever rate of civilian harm
👉 t.co/MV8uEQO33E
Reposted by Iona Craig
🆕 Saudi Arabia is finalizing talks w/ Somalia & Egypt on a new military coalition aimed at boosting Red Sea security & countering the UAE’s growing regional...
...Read Drop Site’s report from @ionacraig.com linked in reply
Additional analysis from @criticalthreats.bsky.social Africa lead is below.
...Read Drop Site’s report from @ionacraig.com linked in reply
Additional analysis from @criticalthreats.bsky.social Africa lead is below.
January 17, 2026 at 12:22 AM
🆕 Saudi Arabia is finalizing talks w/ Somalia & Egypt on a new military coalition aimed at boosting Red Sea security & countering the UAE’s growing regional...
...Read Drop Site’s report from @ionacraig.com linked in reply
Additional analysis from @criticalthreats.bsky.social Africa lead is below.
...Read Drop Site’s report from @ionacraig.com linked in reply
Additional analysis from @criticalthreats.bsky.social Africa lead is below.
Reposted by Iona Craig
Drop Site’s Ryan Grim joined The Young Turks to discuss the latest at Drop Site News, including our reporting on Epstein’s connections with Israeli intelligence.
In this clip, he discusses our latest report from Iona Craig, who details how Saudi Arabia has rapidly consolidated power in southern...
In this clip, he discusses our latest report from Iona Craig, who details how Saudi Arabia has rapidly consolidated power in southern...
January 13, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Drop Site’s Ryan Grim joined The Young Turks to discuss the latest at Drop Site News, including our reporting on Epstein’s connections with Israeli intelligence.
In this clip, he discusses our latest report from Iona Craig, who details how Saudi Arabia has rapidly consolidated power in southern...
In this clip, he discusses our latest report from Iona Craig, who details how Saudi Arabia has rapidly consolidated power in southern...
Reposted by Iona Craig
How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
By Iona Craig (@ionacraig.com)
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
By Iona Craig (@ionacraig.com)
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
www.dropsitenews.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM
How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
By Iona Craig (@ionacraig.com)
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
By Iona Craig (@ionacraig.com)
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
Reposted by Iona Craig
Such a good story by @ionacraig.com on the UAE getting driven out of Yemen by Saudi Arabia: "We went to Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah with a large force and high-end equipment…and returned on buses.”
⚡️How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
www.dropsitenews.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Such a good story by @ionacraig.com on the UAE getting driven out of Yemen by Saudi Arabia: "We went to Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah with a large force and high-end equipment…and returned on buses.”
Reposted by Iona Craig
“An Emirati ‘exit’ in uniform does not necessarily mean an exit in influence,” he said. “If Abu Dhabi judges Yemen remains central to its broader maritime and geo-economic posture, it will retain levers through partners, finance, logistics, and political sponsorship.” - @andreaskrieg.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM
“An Emirati ‘exit’ in uniform does not necessarily mean an exit in influence,” he said. “If Abu Dhabi judges Yemen remains central to its broader maritime and geo-economic posture, it will retain levers through partners, finance, logistics, and political sponsorship.” - @andreaskrieg.bsky.social
Reposted by Iona Craig
⚡️How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
www.dropsitenews.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
⚡️How the UAE’s Decade-Long Project in Yemen Ended in 48 Hours
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
Saudi Arabia has swiftly consolidated power in southern Yemen over the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
Story by Iona Craig (X: @ionacraig, @ionacraig.com) for Drop Site News.
www.dropsitenews.com/p/yemen-uae-...
Reposted by Iona Craig
A huge amount going on at present, all over the place. One of those things is the collapse of the UAE’s Yemen policy and a serious reduction in its regional power and influence. By contrast, the Saudis have the upper hand in Yemen for the first time in years.
For those trying to catch up on Yemen events, the Saudi-UAE confrontation and work out what's been going on, try this for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/theo...
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
January 12, 2026 at 7:35 AM
A huge amount going on at present, all over the place. One of those things is the collapse of the UAE’s Yemen policy and a serious reduction in its regional power and influence. By contrast, the Saudis have the upper hand in Yemen for the first time in years.
Reposted by Iona Craig
Truly we seem to be entering a golden age of kidnapping...
It's worth noting that the statement was made by the STC leaders who are in Saudi Arabia. Vi coactus likely applies.
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
January 9, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Truly we seem to be entering a golden age of kidnapping...
It's worth noting that the statement was made by the STC leaders who are in Saudi Arabia. Vi coactus likely applies.
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
January 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
It's worth noting that the statement was made by the STC leaders who are in Saudi Arabia. Vi coactus likely applies.
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
January 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
For those trying to catch up on Yemen events, the Saudi-UAE confrontation and work out what's been going on, try this for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/theo...
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
January 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
For those trying to catch up on Yemen events, the Saudi-UAE confrontation and work out what's been going on, try this for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/theo...
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
For a longer view of how it all came to this, listen to last week's @snellarthur.bsky.social podcast: tinyurl.com/y5h8bexx
In >15 yrs of living and breathing Yemen, the last two weeks’ events have been off the scale in their rapidity and upheaval - internal and external - even by Yemen standards. Since 2010 I don’t think I’ve witnessed a fortnight like it. And I lived in Sana’a through revolution (2011) and coup (2014).
January 8, 2026 at 9:20 AM
In >15 yrs of living and breathing Yemen, the last two weeks’ events have been off the scale in their rapidity and upheaval - internal and external - even by Yemen standards. Since 2010 I don’t think I’ve witnessed a fortnight like it. And I lived in Sana’a through revolution (2011) and coup (2014).
In parallel events,Saudi-backed National Shield Forces arrived in Aden overnight.
January 8, 2026 at 8:23 AM
In parallel events,Saudi-backed National Shield Forces arrived in Aden overnight.
As the Saudis watched in real time the boat taking Aiderous Al Zubaydi to Somaliland, I’ve no doubt they thought long and hard about taking it out. It’s also telling that they chose not to.
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
January 8, 2026 at 7:54 AM
As the Saudis watched in real time the boat taking Aiderous Al Zubaydi to Somaliland, I’ve no doubt they thought long and hard about taking it out. It’s also telling that they chose not to.
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
January 8, 2026 at 7:39 AM
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
I wasn’t wrong. Aiderous Al Zubaydi is now in the UAE after being smuggled out by boat to Berbera, Somaliland.
Saudi Arabia released the intricate details of the smuggling operation that was co-ordinated by the UAE.
Saudi Arabia released the intricate details of the smuggling operation that was co-ordinated by the UAE.
In an extraordinary end to an extraordinary week in Yemen, Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes in Al-Dhale targeting forces of longtime STC leader and Presidential Leadership Council member Aiderous Al Zubaydi.
If recent history is anything to go by, he would’ve smuggled himself out to the UAE.
If recent history is anything to go by, he would’ve smuggled himself out to the UAE.
Word is, STC leader Aiderous Al-Zubaidi didn’t get on the flight taking the STC delegation to Riyadh. Instead, he’s heading back to his home with his men in Al-Dhale.
The Emperor’s New Clothes were always made in the UAE.
The Emperor’s New Clothes were always made in the UAE.
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 AM
I wasn’t wrong. Aiderous Al Zubaydi is now in the UAE after being smuggled out by boat to Berbera, Somaliland.
Saudi Arabia released the intricate details of the smuggling operation that was co-ordinated by the UAE.
Saudi Arabia released the intricate details of the smuggling operation that was co-ordinated by the UAE.