Riyadh \u2014<\/strong> Saudi Arabia confirmed it carried out targeted airstrikes near Mukalla port, stating that the operation was aimed at weapons and military equipment allegedly linked to the UAE and intended for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). Riyadh described the strike as a limited security operation carried out to protect regional stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon after the strikes, Yemen\u2019s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC)\u2014which is supported by Saudi Arabia\u2014cancelled its defence coordination agreement with the UAE and formally demanded that all remaining Emirati forces leave Yemen within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UAE rejected claims that the targeted shipment contained weapons for separatist groups but announced it would withdraw its remaining military personnel from Yemen, framing the move as a voluntary conclusion of its counter-terrorism mission rather than compliance under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emirati officials reiterated their commitment to regional security while stressing that Abu Dhabi no longer sees a military role for its forces inside Yemen under the current circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saudi Arabia and the UAE have both been key players in the Yemen conflict since 2015, initially united against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which controls much of northern Yemen. However, their interests have diverged in the south:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These competing strategies have repeatedly strained relations between the two allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the airstrikes, Yemeni authorities declared a state of emergency in Mukalla and imposed a temporary blockade on ports and border crossings, citing security risks. Analysts warn that the confrontation highlights deepening distrust between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, raising concerns about the future of coordination among Gulf states in Yemen and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The United States and other international actors urged restraint, calling on all parties to avoid further escalation and to return to political dialogue aimed at stabilising Yemen, which remains gripped by one of the world\u2019s worst humanitarian crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the UAE\u2019s decision to withdraw troops may help prevent an immediate military confrontation between the two Gulf powers, observers say the episode underscores a significant strategic split that could reshape alliances and influence the trajectory of the Yemen conflict in the months ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Riyadh \u2014Tensions between longtime Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) escalated sharply after Saudi airstrikes hit Yemen\u2019s southern port city of Mukalla, prompting Yemeni authorities aligned with Riyadh to issue a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of UAE forces from the country. What Happened Saudi Arabia confirmed it carried out targeted…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international"],"yoast_head":"\n
Tensions between longtime Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) escalated sharply after Saudi airstrikes hit Yemen\u2019s southern port city of Mukalla, prompting Yemeni authorities aligned with Riyadh to issue a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of UAE forces from the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Happened<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
UAE Response<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Background to the Rift<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Security and Regional Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
International Reaction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n