SANAA // Yemen's main airport reopened yesterday, a day after gunmen loyal to the country's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, seized the facility in the capital over the sacking of a military commander who was also a relative of Mr Saleh.
"The airport has reopened after we have received reassurances from the air force that there will be no risks to aviation," an aviation official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
Yemen national airline, Yemeni airways, announced in a statement yesterday its domestic and international flights had resumed from the airport. About 12 flights were either cancelled or diverted after the gunmen threatened to shoot down any aircraft.
President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi sacked the air force commander, Mohammed Saleh Al Ahmer, half-brother of the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, on Friday.
Supporters of Gen Al Ahmar, including armed tribesmen along with military troops. attacked the airport on Saturday, with tanks and armoured vehicles occupying the tarmac.
An air force official speaking on condition of anonymity said the attackers pulled out from the airport and that Gen Al Ahmer, who has refused to step down from his post, left the air force headquarters adjacent to the airport yesterday at midday.
Mr Hadi also sacked four governors and more than a dozen generals including a nephew of Mr Saleh on Friday. Mr Hadi named Rashid Al Hanad as the new air force commander. Gen Al Ahmar was moved to an administrative post at the defence ministry.
The shake-up followed growing concerns that Mr Saleh was using the loyalists to further destabilise the country. Mr Saleh formally handed over power to Mr Hadi, who was his vice president in February, in a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperations Council. The deal allowed Mr Saleh to remain as head of his party, the General People's Congress, and keep half of his cabinet ministers in place.
Some of Mr Saleh's relatives kept their positions in Mr Hadi's Friday personnel moves. His son, Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, retained command of the elite Republican Guard, while a nephew, Yahia Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, kept his job as the head of the Central Security Forces.
Mr Hadi's changes were hailed by the United States as well as by the GCC.
"The United States welcomes President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi's announcement of civilian and military personnel transfers as part of the ongoing political transition in Yemen," Mark Toner, US State Department acting spokesman, said late on Saturday.
"The changes signify the National Consensus Government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Yemeni people and restoring stability to the country. In spite of those who seek to derail the transition, President Hadi has demonstrated strong leadership by steadfastly implementing the agreed-upon political settlement," Mr Toner added.
GCC chief Abdullatif Al Zayani, who led mediation efforts to convince Mr Saleh to step down after 33 years in power, also said the GCC "supports" Mr Hadi and "backs all measures he takes to help Yemen exit its current crisis".
malqadhi@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting by the Associated Press
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Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
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Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
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6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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