UAE Withdraws Troops from Yemen Amid Security Crisis

International Desk: PNN

Intense tension arose between the two Gulf allies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, following a Saudi-led airstrike on the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla. In response, the UAE announced the withdrawal of its troops from Yemen.

Details of the military operation conducted early Tuesday morning were disclosed by the Saudi coalition spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki. He stated that over 80 vehicles and a large cache of weapons and ammunition were found upon entering the Mukalla port. He claimed that the UAE transferred these vehicles, containers, and Emirati troops to the Al-Raiyan military base without informing Saudi Arabia.

Al-Maliki asserted that the operation complied with the rules of war and international norms. A few hours later, the UAE officially announced the end of its “counter-terrorism” operations in Yemen and the withdrawal of remaining troops. The Yemeni Ministry of Defense confirmed that the UAE voluntarily decided to withdraw troops to ensure their safety in light of the current situation and security risks.

This announcement came when the internationally recognized Yemeni government ordered the UAE to withdraw troops within 24 hours, a demand also supported by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group in southern Yemen. According to the Saudi-led coalition, the target of the attack at Mukalla port was a shipment of weapons intended for the STC, allegedly linked to the UAE.

Recently, the STC seized extensive areas in southern Yemen, including Hadhramaut and Mahra provinces, from Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia. These provinces are close to the Saudi border, making Riyadh view the situation as a national security threat.

Saudi Arabia stated that UAE pressure on the STC to conduct military operations in Hadhramaut and Mahra is “unacceptable” and that it is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect its security. The UAE, meanwhile, claimed that the targeted shipments contained no weapons and were not for the STC but for Emirati forces, reaffirming their commitment to Saudi security.

Meanwhile, Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, canceled the UAE defense agreement and ordered the country to withdraw troops within 24 hours. The STC, however, remained firm in its position. Spokesperson Anwar Al-Tamimi said, “Leaving our territory is out of the question. We will resist if necessary.”

Analysts believe this incident highlights divisions within the Saudi-led coalition formed in 2015 against the Houthis.