UAE Announces Withdrawal from Yemen Following Saudi Strike on Separatist-Held Port
– The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has declared its intention to withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, responding to a demand from the Yemeni presidential council, supported by Saudi Arabia, to leave within 24 hours.
– This announcement comes on the heels of a Saudi-led air strike targeting what was claimed to be a weapons shipment destined for UAE-backed separatists in the southern port city of Mukalla. The UAE, however, refuted these allegations, stating that no weapons were included in the shipment and expressed deep regret over Saudi accusations.
– For nearly a decade, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have stood united against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. Yet, escalating tensions between the rival factions they support have led to a significant rift.
– Saudi Arabia’s allegations included claims that the UAE pressured the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to engage in attacks against Saudi-backed government forces in eastern provinces. The kingdom cautioned that it would respond to what it termed highly dangerous activities.
– In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, the UAE’s defense ministry announced the withdrawal of its remaining counterterrorism personnel, six years after its armed forces initially concluded their presence in the region. The decision was framed as a response to recent developments that could affect the safety and effectiveness of ongoing counterterrorism missions, although the statement notably omitted reference to the Saudi air strike.
– Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry underscored its efforts to contain the escalatory steps taken by the STC, which advocates for the independence of southern Yemen. The ministry accused the UAE of orchestrating pressures that posed threats to both national and regional security.
– The UAE’s foreign ministry countered these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to stability in Yemen and its dedication to containing the situation without escalating tensions or issuing military directives to Yemeni parties.
– Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s eight-member presidential council—which includes STC representatives—announced the cancellation of a joint defense pact with the UAE, ordering its forces to withdraw within 24 hours to ensure the security of all citizens. He also declared a 90-day state of emergency to address the Houthis and alleged threats from mutinous military elements influenced by the UAE.
– Leaders of the STC dismissed the ultimatum for withdrawal as unilateral and lacking any legal foundation, reaffirming that the UAE remains a main partner in the ongoing conflict against the Houthis.
– The Saudi-led coalition air strike not only targeted the alleged weapons shipment but resulted in the destruction of several military vehicles. Major General Turki al-Maliki characterized the shipment as an imminent threat.
– Reports indicated that a warning for evacuation was issued prior to the strike, which occurred shortly after 04:00 local time, leading to damage at the port but thankfully resulting in no casualties.
– The UAE countered that the coalition’s statement was released without prior consultation and reiterated that the shipment did not contain weapons intended for any Yemeni faction, asserting that the vehicles were intended solely for Emirati forces in Yemen.
– A call for the STC’s forces to withdraw peacefully from the provinces of Hadramawt and al-Mahra followed, as tensions escalated amid recent offensives that positioned the STC in direct conflict with government forces.
– Yemen has been entrenched in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis ousted the internationally recognized government. The conflict escalated in 2015 with the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention aiming to restore governmental control. This prolonged fighting has resulted in over 150,000 fatalities and one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
– Initially, the STC allied with the government to combat the Houthis; however, it has since shifted tactics, gradually taking control of both Aden and much of southern Yemen.
As the UAE commits to its withdrawal from Yemen, the complex dynamics among regional powers and local factions continue to evolve, posing critical implications for the future of Yemen’s stability and security.