UAE Announces Withdrawal of Remaining Forces from Yemen as Tensions Rise

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen, following mounting tensions with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, Abu Dhabi has decided to end the presence of its counter-terrorism teams in Yemen, citing recent developments and concerns over the safety and effectiveness of ongoing missions. The ministry said the decision was taken voluntarily, in coordination with relevant partners, and with the primary aim of ensuring the safety of Emirati personnel.

The announcement came shortly after Saudi Arabia issued a 24-hour deadline calling on the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen and halt any military or financial support to local groups. Riyadh backed a similar demand made by the internationally recognized Yemeni government based in Aden.

Saudi Arabia expressed concern over what it described as UAE pressure on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to carry out military operations in Yemen’s Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces. The Saudi Foreign Ministry warned that such actions posed a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and regional stability, adding that any threat to Saudi security constituted a “red line.”

The UAE Ministry of Defence reaffirmed that the country has been part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition since 2015, supporting Yemen’s legitimacy and international efforts to combat terrorism. It noted that Emirati forces had made significant sacrifices in pursuit of stability and security for the Yemeni people.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council escalated the situation by declaring a state of emergency and cancelling a joint defence agreement with the UAE. Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced a 90-day state of emergency, including a 72-hour air, sea, and land blockade, after UAE-backed separatist forces seized large areas in southern Yemen.

Yemen announces emergency rule amid escalating separatist clashes

The Southern Transitional Council reportedly took control of most of the resource-rich Hadramout province and parts of neighboring Al-Mahra. Al-Alimi described the advance as an “unacceptable rebellion” and ordered STC forces to hand over the captured territories to Saudi-backed units.

The developments have raised fears of further fragmentation within Yemen’s already divided government and pose a serious risk to ongoing peace efforts with Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have controlled the capital Sanaa since 2014.

The UAE has denied allegations of shipping weapons to Yemeni separatists. Emirati officials said the shipment referenced by Saudi Arabia did not contain weapons and that its arrival had been coordinated with Riyadh. Abu Dhabi also rejected accusations that it was fueling the conflict, stressing its commitment to regional stability and Gulf unity.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Yemen’s sovereignty, security, and political process, calling for dialogue to resolve the southern issue and urging all parties to act with restraint to preserve regional stability and bilateral relations within the Gulf.