The UAE on Tuesday announced it is withdrawing all remaining counter-terrorism teams from Yemen hours after a Saudi strike hit armoured vehicles belonging to its forces in the southern port of Mukalla.
The UAE ended its military presence within the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2019 but kept a limited number of specialised teams there as part of counter-terrorism efforts. Saudi Arabia has led the anti-Houthi alliance since 2015, with the UAE playing a key role in halting the advance of the Iran-backed rebels, expelling them from the south, and combatting extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.
"In light of recent developments and their potential implications for the safety and effectiveness of counter-terrorism missions, the Ministry of Defence announces the termination of the remaining counter-terrorism personnel in Yemen of its own volition, in a manner that ensures the safety of its personnel and in co-ordination with the concerned partners," an official statement said.
"The Ministry of Defence affirms that this measure comes within the context of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase, and in line with the commitments of the United Arab Emirates and its role in supporting security and stability in the region.
"The Ministry of Defence affirms that the United Arab Emirates has participated as part of the Arab Coalition since 2015 in support of legitimacy in Yemen, in backing international efforts to combat terrorist organisations, and in pursuit of security and stability for the brotherly Yemeni people. The UAE has made great sacrifices in achieving these objectives."
The statement came after the Saudi-led coalition announced a “limited military operation” against weapons and combat vehicles in southern Yemen.
“Coalition air forces carried out a limited military operation this morning. The operation targeted weapons and combat vehicles,” Coalition Forces spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al Malki claimed. He added that the equipment had been unloaded from two vessels at the port of Mukalla on Saturday and Sunday after they were shipped from Fujairah.
However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Saudi claims "alleging the fuelling of the Yemeni conflict", and dismissed attempts to draw it into the internal Yemeni dispute.
"The ministry confirms that the shipment concerned did not include any weapons, and that the vehicles unloaded were not intended for any Yemeni party, but were shipped for use by UAE forces operating in Yemen.
"The ministry stresses that the allegations circulating in this regard do not reflect the nature or purpose of the shipment, and underscores that there was high-level co-ordination regarding these vehicles between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, along with an agreement that the vehicles would not leave the port. Nevertheless, the UAE was surprised by the targeting of the vehicles at the port of Mukalla."
It added: “The UAE categorically rejects any attempt to implicate the country in tensions among Yemeni parties and strongly denounces allegations that it exerted pressure on, or issued directives to, any Yemeni party to undertake military operations that would undermine the security of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia or target its borders.”
The Southern Transitional Council, which seeks the restoration of an independent southern state, recently took control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from other pro-government forces, effectively consolidating its grip over all southern governorates. The group said the move followed what it described as the failure of other pro-government factions to launch a serious campaign against the Houthis in their northern strongholds, including the capital Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia, which hosts senior Yemeni government and PLC figures, condemned the STC’s takeover, saying it was carried out without co-ordination with the coalition and, on Tuesday, accused the UAE of having a role in it.
In its statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the STC’s actions posed “a threat to the kingdom’s national security, as well as the security and stability of Yemen and the region”, stressing that any threat to Saudi security was “a red line” that would be met with “all necessary measures”.
But the UAE expressed concern regarding the Saudi statement and "the fundamental inaccuracies it contains regarding the UAE’s role in the ongoing developments in the Republic of Yemen".
It said it was committed to Saudi Arabia's security and stability. It affirmed "its full respect for the kingdom’s sovereignty and national security, and its rejection of any actions that could threaten the security of the kingdom or the wider region. The UAE firmly believes that the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries constitute a cornerstone of regional stability, and reaffirms its full co-ordination with the Kingdom".
It also stressed that since the outset of the developments in the governorates of Hadhramaut and Mahra, its position has focused on containing the situation, supporting de-escalation efforts, and promoting understandings to contribute to preserving security and stability and protecting civilians, in full co-ordination with Saudi Arabia.
Marco Rubio calls the UAE and Saudi Arabia
The White House and US State Department did not provide direct comment on the unfolding situation in Yemen but Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the foreign ministers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
During the call with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the country's top diplomat underscored the UAE's unwavering commitment to working closely with the US, "as well as with all its partners, to establish sustainable peace in the region and to strengthen security and stability in the interests of its peoples", according to Wam.
The State Department said Mr Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke about the "ongoing tensions in Yemen" and issues affecting regional security and stability.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored that the Emirati presence in Yemen “was at the request of the legitimate Yemeni government and within the framework of the Saudi-led Arab coalition, with the aim of supporting the restoration of legitimacy and combatting terrorism, while fully respecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen."
It noted that the UAE has made “significant sacrifices since the launch of coalition operations and has stood in solidarity with the brotherly Yemeni people at various stages".
The ministry also pointed out that these developments raise "legitimate questions regarding how this issue and its potential repercussions have been addressed, at a time that demands the highest levels of co-ordination, restraint and wisdom, particularly given the prevailing security challenges and threats posed by terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, the Houthis and the Muslim Brotherhood, within the framework of international efforts aimed at combatting terrorism and extremism and fostering opportunities for de-escalation and stability".
It affirmed that dealing with the recent developments must be done responsibly, in a manner that prevents escalation, "based on verified facts and existing co-ordination among the concerned parties, in a way that preserves security and stability, safeguards shared interests, and contributes to supporting the political process and bringing an end to the crisis in Yemen".
The latest crisis underscores the fragility of Yemen’s already fractured political landscape, with infighting among anti-Houthi forces threatening to further complicate efforts to stabilise the war-torn country and defeat the Iran-backed rebels who have controlled the capital Sanaa and northern regions for a decade.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, expressed "deep concern" over the serious and rapidly unfolding developments. He called on all member states to "support legitimacy to uphold the spirit of Arab solidarity during this critical juncture, exercise restraint, and adhere to the unified Arab position in support of Yemeni legitimacy".
Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood said in a statement that it supports Saudi Arabia’s position. The terrorist-designated group affirmed its "firm commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Arab states".
