The United Arab Emirates said it will withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, deepening a crisis with Saudi Arabia after Riyadh backed a call for Emirati troops to leave within 24 hours. The decision follows a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla, marking the sharpest escalation yet between the two Gulf allies.
Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike, which targeted what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists, in Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla, in this screengrab from a handout video obtained by Reuters on December 30, 2025. SABAA TV/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. VERIFICATION LINES: Reuters was able to confirm the location from the layout of the storage tanks, warehouses and trees which matched satellite imagery and corroborating footage from the scene. The date when the video was filmed was confirmed by official and media reports. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The UAE defence ministry said it had voluntarily ended the mission of its counterterrorism units, the only forces it still had in Yemen after concluding its broader military presence in 2019. The ministry said the remaining deployment had consisted of specialized personnel operating in coordination with international partners, adding that recent developments prompted a comprehensive reassessment.
A person gestures towards smoke rising in the aftermath of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike, which targeted what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists, in Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla, in this screengrab from a handout video obtained by Reuters on December 30, 2025. Aden al-Mustakillah TV/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. Verification lines: Storage tanks, warehouses and trees matched satellite images and corroborating footages. Date verified by official and media reports.
Saudi Airstrike and Disputed Shipments
Hours before the UAE announcement, Saudi-led coalition forces struck Mukalla, saying they had targeted foreign military support for UAE-backed southern separatists. Riyadh said two ships arriving from the UAE port of Fujairah had unloaded weapons and combat vehicles without authorization.
A screenshot from footage released by the Saudi-led Coalition shows what is says is the arrival of the “Greeland” ship from Al Fujairah port to Al Mukalla Port, carrying what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists, in Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla, in this screengrab from a handout video obtained by Reuters on December 30, 2025. Saudi-led Coalition/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. TEXT OVERLAY AND BLURRING FROM SOURCE. VERIFICATION LINES: Storage tanks, vehicles and the wall match with satellite images and corroborating footages showing the fire. Date not verified by Reuters.
The UAE said it was surprised by the strike and denied the shipments contained weapons, saying they were destined for Emirati forces. It added that it sought a solution that would prevent escalation and be based on verified facts and existing coordination.
Saudi state media said the strike caused no casualties or collateral damage. Yemeni state television broadcast footage showing smoke rising from the port and burned vehicles at the dock. Reuters could not immediately verify what had been hit or the nature cargoes that may have been attacked.
Yemen’s Leadership Demands Emirati Exit
Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Saudi-backed presidential council, cancelled a defense pact with the UAE and gave Emirati forces 24 hours to leave. In a televised speech, he accused the UAE of directing and pressuring the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to undermine state authority through military escalation.
FILE PHOTO: Forces of Yemen’s main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, arrive in a mountainous area where they are launching a military operation in the southern province of Abyan, Yemen, December 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
Saudi Arabia echoed the demand and warned that its national security was a “red line,” its strongest language yet against Abu Dhabi. Riyadh has accused the UAE of backing the STC’s advance towards areas near the Saudi border.
Diverging Gulf Interests in Yemen
Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once central partners in a coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. But their interests have diverged in recent years. The STC, backed by the UAE, has pushed for self-rule in the south and this month launched an offensive against Saudi-supported government forces, breaking years of stalemate and claiming broad control of southern Yemen, including Hadramout province.
Supporters of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) wave flags of the United Arab Emirates and of the STC, during a rally in Aden, Yemen, December 30, 2025. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
While the UAE’s withdrawal may ease immediate tensions, uncertainty remains over whether it will continue supporting the STC. Saudi Arabia has said it hopes the UAE will end all military or financial assistance to the separatist group.
Regional and Market Repercussions
The crisis has drawn international attention. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the Saudi and UAE foreign ministers about tensions in Yemen and broader regional security. Gulf states including Kuwait and Bahrain voiced support for dialogue, while Qatar said Saudi and Gulf security was inseparable from its own.
Markets reacted swiftly, with major Gulf stock indexes falling. The rift also raises questions for coordination within OPEC, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE are key players. OPEC+ members are expected to extend unchanged production levels for the first quarter at an upcoming meeting.
