Abu Dhabi (TDI): The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it has voluntarily concluded the mission of its counterterrorism forces in Yemen, amid rising tensions with Saudi Arabia over developments in the country.
The UAE’s defense ministry said the decision followed an in-depth review of the situation on the ground and recent regional developments. In a statement, the ministry said potential risks to the safety and operational effectiveness of its forces were also taken into account.
The ministry stressed that the UAE’s military presence in Yemen had been limited in scope, involving specialised personnel operating as part of international counterterrorism efforts and in coordination with global partners.
The announcement comes shortly after a Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla. Riyadh said the strike targeted what it described as foreign military support for UAE-backed southern separatist forces. Saudi Arabia also publicly called for UAE troops to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
Read More: Yemen Ends UAE Defense Pact Following Separatist Advance
The UAE joined the Saudi-led coalition against Yemen’s Houthi movement in 2015. While Abu Dhabi began scaling back its troop presence in 2019, it continued to support the internationally recognised Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia.
However, divisions later deepened when the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which receives backing from the UAE, pushed for self-rule in southern Yemen. Earlier this month, STC forces launched a swift offensive against Saudi-supported government troops, ending years of relative stalemate and asserting control over much of the south.
Read More: Arab Coalition Carries Out Airstrike on Two Ships in Yemen
Saudi Arabia warned the STC against expanding military operations in the eastern province of Hadramout and demanded a withdrawal of its forces from the area, a call the STC rejected.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the escalating situation in Yemen and broader regional security with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to the US State Department.
