Riyadh (TDI): The Arab Coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said on Tuesday it had carried out a “limited” airstrike targeting two ships accused of smuggling weapons and military equipment into the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla.
In a statement, coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the two vessels had arrived at Mukalla port from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates without obtaining authorisation from the coalition’s Joint Forces Command.
According to Al-Maliki, the crews disabled the ships’ tracking systems before unloading large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles intended to support forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen’s eastern governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra. He said the move constituted a violation of the truce, undermined efforts toward a political settlement, and breached UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
The coalition urged civilians and fishermen to evacuate Mukalla port, indicating that further military action could follow if STC forces fail to withdraw from the area.
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Al-Maliki said the airstrike was conducted at the request of Rashad Al-Alimi, president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, who had called for necessary measures to protect civilians and restore stability in Hadramout and Al-Mahra. Al-Alimi warned last week that unilateral actions by the STC were pushing Yemen toward a dangerous escalation.
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“The operation targeted weapons and military vehicles after their unloading was fully documented,” Al-Maliki said, adding that the strike was carried out in line with international humanitarian law and without civilian casualties.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to de-escalation and said it would prevent any military support to Yemeni factions without coordination with the legitimate government and the coalition.
Hours after the strike, Saudi Arabia said its national security was a “red line” and backed calls for UAE forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours. Yemen’s presidential council chief declared a 90-day state of emergency, including a 72-hour air, land and sea blockade. He also announced the cancellation of a defense agreement with the UAE, accusing Abu Dhabi of encouraging internal conflict by backing the STC’s military advance.
