UAE has strongly refuted the allegations

MUKALLA/ABU DHABI,— A dispute between Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and the United Arab Emirates intensified after Yemeni officials accused Abu Dhabi of maintaining an undeclared prison facility at an airbase near Mukalla.

The UAE responded by rejecting the allegations and reaffirming that its forces have fully withdrawn from Yemen.

The claims were announced by Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi during a televised press briefing held at Riyan Airport. The event followed a Saudi-organized media visit that brought foreign journalists, including reporters from Reuters, to the site from Riyadh.

Al-Khanbashi said authorities had identified underground areas at the airport that he claimed were used for detention and weapons storage.

He alleged that the facilities were connected to the UAE and the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi.

The governor said the Yemeni government would pursue accountability for what he described as violations. He said measures would target all parties involved, including individuals affiliated with the UAE and leadership figures within the STC.

He added that the actions were intended to secure justice for affected individuals and their families.

The UAE Ministry of Defence issued a categorical denial, calling the accusations inaccurate and unsupported. In its statement, the ministry said the press conference relied on misinformation and attempted to mislead public opinion.

The ministry said the locations described by Yemeni officials were standard military infrastructure used for accommodation, operations and protection.

It noted that fortified and underground facilities are widely used at military airports worldwide and do not indicate unlawful activity.

Addressing the prison allegations directly, the UAE said no secret detention centers exist at Riyan Airport or anywhere else in Yemen under Emirati control.

The Ministry of Defence also emphasized that all UAE forces completed their withdrawal from Yemen on Jan. 2, 2026. It said the departure was conducted transparently and included the removal of all weapons, equipment and military assets in accordance with established procedures.

The statement said this withdrawal leaves no room for claims of an ongoing Emirati presence in Yemen, whether military or technical.

An STC official responded separately to the allegations, telling Reuters that the group adheres to international human rights standards.

The official said the STC maintains regular communication with the United Nations and other human rights organizations and rejected accusations of operating secret prisons.

The exchange highlights growing friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once close allies in the Yemen conflict. Their relationship has deteriorated over the past year, with disagreements becoming increasingly public.

Tensions escalated when UAE-backed STC forces expelled Saudi-supported government troops from strategic areas in southern Yemen.

The situation worsened in December after Saudi Arabia said it targeted a shipment of arms at Mukalla port that it alleged was destined for the STC.

Following that incident, Saudi-backed forces launched an offensive that led to the collapse of STC positions in several areas.

Shortly afterward, the UAE announced its withdrawal from Yemen, ending nearly ten years as a key military actor in the conflict.

On Monday, Yemen’s presidential council chairman Rashad al-Alimi met with Lt. Gen. Fahd bin Hamad al-Salman, commander of the Saudi-led coalition’s joint forces.

The meeting focused on security coordination and military cooperation, Yemen’s official news agency Saba reported.

During the meeting, al-Alimi expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemen. This support includes humanitarian aid, reconstruction efforts and financial assistance aimed at stabilizing the economy and paying government salaries.

The dispute between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi extends beyond Yemen. Differences have emerged over regional policy, oil production levels and economic priorities. Both countries are competing to attract global investment, tourism and emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence.

Public criticism between commentators from both states has increased on social media platforms in recent weeks. This marks a departure from previous years, when disagreements were largely kept private to preserve regional unity, particularly in opposition to Iran.

Saudi state television channel Ekhbariya posted a message on X warning that the kingdom would not hesitate to respond to actions it views as hostile.

The Yemeni government has made similar allegations against the UAE in the past, accusing it of operating secret prisons in areas previously under Emirati influence. Abu Dhabi has consistently denied those claims.

(With files from Reuters | UAE Defence ministry)

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