Wed Dec 31 01:11:34 UTC 2025: UAE Withdraws Troops From Yemen Amid Rising Tensions With Saudi Arabia

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the withdrawal of its remaining “counterterrorism” forces from Yemen, citing a comprehensive assessment of its role in the conflict. The decision follows a series of escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia, including accusations of UAE support for separatist groups and a Saudi-led airstrike on what Riyadh claimed was an Emirati weapons shipment in the Yemeni port of Mukalla.

The withdrawal announcement came shortly after Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, demanded the UAE remove its forces within 24 hours. This demand was preceded by a Saudi-led coalition strike on Mukalla, targeting a shipment allegedly bound for the separatist Southern Transition Council (STC), a group seeking independence in southern Yemen.

The STC, initially an ally against Houthi rebels, has recently launched an offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, seizing control of significant territory in southern Yemen, including the Hadramout and Mahara provinces. Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of supporting the STC, a claim Abu Dhabi denies.

Following the Mukalla strike, the head of Yemen’s presidential council dissolved a defense pact with the UAE and ordered Emirati forces to leave. Saudi Arabia then issued a statement expressing disappointment over “pressure exerted by the UAE” on the STC, viewing it as a threat to its national security. Riyadh called on the UAE to halt support for any party in Yemen and cease military operations.

The UAE expressed surprise at the airstrike, asserting that the targeted shipments did not contain weapons and were intended for Emirati forces. However, the UAE stated that it sought a solution “that prevents escalation, based on reliable facts and existing coordination”.

Despite the escalating tensions, the STC remains defiant, vowing to maintain its newly seized positions. This move marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the Yemeni conflict and exposes a widening rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, former allies in the fight against Houthi rebels.

Read More