The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed it will withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, following escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia over military operations in the south. The move comes after a Saudi-led air strike targeted what was described as a weapons shipment for UAE-backed separatist forces at the port of Mukalla.

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Background: UAE and Saudi Tensions in Yemen

For years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been key allies in the war against the Iran-backed Houthi movement. However, recent infighting between the rival factions they support—the Yemeni government and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC)—has deepened a rift between the two Gulf powers.

Saudi officials accused the UAE of pressuring the STC to launch attacks against Saudi-backed government forces in the eastern provinces of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, describing such actions as a threat to regional security. The UAE denied the allegations, stating it had focused on de-escalation and stability efforts.

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The Saudi-Led Air Strike on Mukalla

The Saudi-led coalition conducted a limited air strike on the port of Mukalla, targeting military vehicles and a shipment allegedly headed for STC forces. The coalition described the shipment as “an imminent threat that could escalate tensions and threaten peace”.

Officials reported that warnings to evacuate were issued shortly before the strike. Images from the port showed burned-out vehicles and pick-up trucks, as well as damage to a nearby building. No casualties were reported.

The UAE insisted the shipment did not include weapons and was intended for use by Emirati forces operating in Yemen, not for any local Yemeni faction.

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UAE Withdraws Forces

Following the incident, the UAE’s defence ministry announced it would terminate its remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen, citing safety and operational concerns. The statement emphasized the decision was taken voluntarily, six years after the UAE had largely concluded its military presence in the country.

The withdrawal aligns with growing tensions between the UAE and Saudi-backed factions, as well as the Yemeni presidential council’s demand that UAE forces leave within 24 hours to safeguard national security and territorial integrity.

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STC Reaction

The Southern Transitional Council, which seeks independence for southern Yemen, called the ultimatum unilateral and legally baseless, insisting the UAE would remain a “main partner” in the fight against the Houthis and extremist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The STC has controlled large parts of southern Yemen, including Aden, and has engaged in conflicts with government forces in recent months, increasing instability in the region.

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Yemen War Context

Yemen has been engulfed in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis ousted the internationally recognized government from Sanaa. Saudi Arabia and its coalition intervened in 2015 to restore government control.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, leaving millions displaced and in urgent need of aid.

Initially, the STC and other southern separatists cooperated with the government to prevent Houthi advances in the south. In recent years, however, the STC has seized control of large areas, including Aden, and now operates independently, often clashing with government forces.