UAE Announces To Withdraw Troops From Yemen After Saudi Airstrikes Trigger Diplomatic Rift

The United Arab Emirates has announced the withdrawal of its final military personnel from Yemen, hours after Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the strategic port city of Mukalla. The strikes were carried out after Riyadh alleged that two Emirati vessels had secretly delivered weapons and armoured vehicles to separatist forces, escalating tensions between the two once-aligned Gulf allies.

Initially, Abu Dhabi rejected the accusations and expressed "deep shock" over the Saudi air raids. However, the UAE Ministry of Defence later issued a statement confirming that it would remove its remaining "counter-terrorism units" due to the evolving security situation. The statement added that the pullout will take place "voluntarily and in a manner that guarantees the safety of Emirati personnel."

Growing Rift Over Yemen's Conflict

Saudi Arabia had earlier described the UAE's alleged actions in Yemen as "extremely dangerous," claiming they posed a direct threat to Saudi national security. Riyadh stated the Mukalla operation was a "limited strike" conducted on Tuesday morning.

Hours before the UAE's formal withdrawal statement, Saudi-backed Yemeni authorities ordered all Emirati forces to leave the country within 24 hours and cancelled a bilateral defence pact. In a strongly worded message, the Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated that any threat to its security is considered a "red line," and warned of further action if necessary.

Dispute Over Control in Southern Yemen

The latest clash comes after Yemen's Presidential Council chairman, Rashad Al-Alimi-supported by Riyadh-accused the UAE of directing fighters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to challenge the authority of Yemen's recognised government. According to Saudi sources, STC-aligned forces recently seized key territories, including parts of the oil-rich Hadramout region and several governorates, reigniting debates over calls for southern Yemen to regain independence.

Riyadh argues that such movements undermine efforts to counter the Houthi rebels in the north, weakening a coalition that has already been strained by diverging political objectives since 2015.

Regional and International Stakes

Saudi Arabia and the UAE-major oil-rich powers and key partners of the United States-had closely coordinated Yemen strategy for years. The UAE previously withdrew most of its troops in 2019, but its continued support for southern paramilitary forces has been a point of friction.

Weighing in on the growing crisis, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged restraint. "The United States is concerned by recent events in southeastern Yemen," he posted on X, encouraging diplomacy and acknowledging the importance of security cooperation between the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The unfolding tensions add another layer of instability to a nation already crippled by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. After more than a decade of conflict, millions of Yemenis continue to face severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic services-while the latest Saudi-UAE dispute risks further delaying hopes for a negotiated political resolution.