Saudi Arabia declares national security a red line as UAE troops exit Yemen

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• Saudi-led coalition targets the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla.
  
• UAE-supported STC accused of undermining the state: Yemen’s presidential council.
• KSA calls on the UAE to comply with Yemen’s demand to withdraw.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia declared that its national security is a red line and demanded that UAE forces depart Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after conducting an airstrike on Mukalla port in southern Yemen.

The government articulated concerns over foreign military support provided to the UAE-backed southern separatists, with Yemen’s Saudi-supported presidential council issuing a deadline for Emirati forces to exit the country.

Yemen’s presidential council leader, Rashad al-Alimi, also canceled a defense agreement with the UAE, according to the official Yemeni news agency, citing frustration over UAE backing for the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

“It has been definitively confirmed that the UAE has pressured and instructed the STC to destabilize and rebel against the authority of the Yemeni government through military escalation,” Al-Alimi stated.

Saudi Arabia urged the UAE to follow the order. The UAE’s foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment.

Yemen Conflict

The UAE has been part of the Saudi-led coalition combating the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen since 2015. After beginning a partial withdrawal of troops in 2019, it continues to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has recently moved toward self-rule in the south, launching a rapid offensive this month against forces loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

This move broke a long-standing deadlock, with the STC claiming control over much of the south. Saudi Arabia had warned the STC against military activities in the eastern province of Hadramout and called for the withdrawal of its forces, but the STC dismissed these warnings.

The recent airstrike was a response to the weekend arrival of two ships from the UAE port of Fujairah, which docked without official approval on Saturday and Sunday. The coalition states the ships unloaded large quantities of weapons and vehicles to support the STC, after disabling their tracking systems upon arrival in Mukalla.

No Casualties Reported

According to Saudi state media, the strike on Mukalla port caused no casualties or significant collateral damage.

Two sources told Reuters that the attack targeted the dock where the ships’ cargo was unloaded. Footage from Yemen’s state TV showed smoke rising from the port early in the morning after the strike, along with images of damaged vehicles.

UAE-supported factions control extensive areas in the south, including the strategically vital Hadramout province.

Al-Alimi has imposed a no-fly zone and a sea and land blockade on all ports and crossings for 72 hours, with some exceptions authorized by the coalition.

Hadramout shares borders with Saudi Arabia and has strong cultural and historical ties. Many Saudi nationals trace their roots to the region.

Since 2022, the STC has been part of an alliance managing southern territories outside Houthi control, under a Saudi-supported power-sharing plan.

The Houthis hold northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.

“We will continue to prevent any military aid from foreign countries to Yemeni factions without coordination with the legitimate government,” the coalition added.