Aden (TDI): Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council leader, Rashad al-Alimi, declared a 90 day state of emergency on Tuesday. This declaration follows a major territorial expansion by separatist forces in southern Yemen.
Al-Alimi also formally canceled a joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates. A new decree imposes a 72 hour blockade affecting air, sea and land routes across the nation.
These developments occurred after the Saudi-led coalition conducted a strike on a UAE weapons shipment intended for the Southern Transitional Council.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces recently captured significant portions of the resource-rich Hadramawt province and large areas of the neighboring Mahrah region.
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In a televised address, Al-Alimi characterized the separatist advance as an unacceptable rebellion and ordered the STC to surrender the seized territory to Saudi-backed forces immediately.
The escalating confrontation threatens to dismantle the fragile Yemeni government. This internal conflict also complicates ongoing peace negotiations with Houthi rebels, who originally seized the capital in 2014.
Saudi Arabia issued a firm warning on Tuesday, stating that national security remains a red line. The Saudi foreign ministry expressed deep disappointment regarding UAE actions. Riyadh accused the UAE of pressuring STC forces to conduct military operations near the Saudi border, which poses a threat to regional stability.
Saudi officials described the UAE’s recent steps as highly dangerous and inconsistent with the original goals of the coalition. The coalition was established to restore legitimacy in Yemen and achieve regional security.
Saudi Arabia emphasized its readiness to take all necessary measures to neutralize threats to its borders. The ministry expressed hope that the UAE would take corrective steps to preserve bilateral relations between the two nations.
Read Also: Saudi Arabia Voices Concern Over UAE Pressure on Yemen’s STC
Furthermore, Riyadh supported the presidential council’s demand for Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia also urged Abu Dhabi to cease all military and financial support for local Yemeni groups.
The current military escalation at Mukalla port and the surrounding provinces highlights the deepening divide within the coalition. As the threshold for open conflict rises, the prospect of a unified front against the Houthi movement appears increasingly diminished.
The coming days will determine if the presidential council can reassert control or if the fractures within the alliance will lead to further territorial disintegration.
Tayyaba Arif is a student of International Relations, and takes keen interest in conflict reporting and the dynamics of regional and global affairs. She is especially committed to SDG 17, and believes in effective partnerships and promoting cooperative initiatives. She can be reached at tayyabarrif0@gmail.com
