Proxy War

Why in News?

The UAE-backed Yemeni separatists have taken control of Hadramout and Al‑Mahra, but this is unlikely to ease tensions, as the conflict and the UAE’s role are shifting from direct fighting to proxy warfare.

• Proxy wars –A proxy war is a conflict in which two or more rival powers indirectly confront each other by supporting third parties (states, militias, or non-state actors).
• Emergence– It typically emerges when an external benefactor (state or non‑state actor) supports chosen proxies with weapons, training, and funding to fight on its behalf.
• Evolution – It was once a Cold War tool of ideology, now it persists in regionalised, multilateral forms, driven by cost efficiency, risk avoidance, and plausible deniability.
• Key features - Involves external support such as arms, funding, training, intelligence, or diplomatic backing.
• Fought on the territory of a third country.
• Allows major powers to avoid confrontation and escalation.
• Often prolonged and destabilising for the affected region.
• Examples
  • During Cold War times (1945–1991) - US vs Soviet Union - no direct war, but battles across Cuba, Korea, Vietnam.
  • Contemporary example - In Yemen, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE illustrate proxy dynamics.

Comparison between Direct War & Proxy War

References

1. Indian Express | What is proxy war?
2. Britannica | Proxy War