Saudi Arabia issues security warning as UAE told to exit Yemen

Where Diplomacy Meets News

Saudi Arabia issues security warning as UAE told to exit Yemen

December 30, 2025

RIYADH,— Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its national security was a red line and backed a demand for United Arab Emirates forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours, following a Saudi led coalition airstrike on the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla, Reuters reported.

The warning marked the most direct public language used by Riyadh toward Abu Dhabi since the Yemen war began and signaled a sharp escalation in tensions between the two Gulf allies, who have largely coordinated policy across the region for nearly a decade.

The Saudi led coalition said the airstrike targeted what it described as foreign military support for southern separatist forces backed by the UAE.

At the same time, Yemen’s Saudi backed presidential council set a deadline for Emirati forces to leave Yemeni territory.

Saudi Arabia urged the UAE to comply with the demand, Saudi state media reported. No further steps were announced if the request is ignored.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are both key members of the OPEC oil exporters group. Analysts have said that open disagreements between the two countries could complicate coordination on oil production policy. OPEC is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on Sunday.

Yemeni Leadership Cancels Defense Agreement

Yemen’s presidential council head Rashad al Alimi announced the cancellation of a defense pact with the UAE, Yemen’s state news agency reported.

In a televised speech, Alimi accused the UAE of fueling internal divisions in Yemen through its support for the Southern Transitional Council, known as the STC.

He said it had been definitively confirmed that the UAE pressured and directed the STC to undermine the authority of the Yemeni state through military escalation. Alimi added that such actions had contributed to instability and weakened state institutions.

Major stock indexes across the Gulf region were trading lower on Tuesday following the rise in political tensions.

Background of the Yemen Alliance

The UAE was a member of the Saudi led coalition that launched military operations in Yemen in 2015 against the Iran aligned Houthi movement. Emirati forces played a significant role in ground operations during the early stages of the conflict, while Saudi Arabia led air operations.

In 2019, the UAE announced a drawdown of its troops in Yemen, describing the move as a strategic repositioning.

Despite the reduction, Abu Dhabi said it remained committed to supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia.

Over time, the UAE maintained influence in southern Yemen through its backing of local armed groups, including the STC.

The STC later declared its intention to pursue self rule in the south. Earlier this month, the group launched a surprise offensive against Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia, breaking years of relative military stalemate.

The advance brought the Gulf allies closer to open confrontation and raised concerns about a renewed phase of the long running civil conflict.

The STC said it had secured broad control over southern Yemen, including much of the strategically important province of Hadramout.

Hadramout borders Saudi Arabia and holds economic and geographic significance. The region also has deep cultural and historical ties with Saudi Arabia, and many prominent Saudis trace their origins to the area.

Saudi Arabia had warned the STC against advancing militarily in eastern Hadramout and called for the withdrawal of its forces. The STC rejected those demands.

Mukalla Port Strike Details

The Saudi led coalition said the limited airstrike on Mukalla port early Tuesday followed the arrival of two ships from the UAE port of Fujairah over the weekend without authorization.

According to coalition statements, the vessels arrived on Saturday and Sunday and disabled their tracking systems after entering Yemeni waters. The coalition said the ships unloaded large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles intended to support the STC.

Saudi state media published video footage showing a ship identified as Greenland, which it said originated from Fujairah and was used to transport military equipment.

The coalition said the strike caused no casualties or collateral damage.

Two sources told Reuters that the strike targeted the dock area where the cargo from the two ships had been unloaded. Reuters said it could not independently verify what was struck or confirm the nature or origin of the cargo.

Footage broadcast on Yemen’s state television showed black smoke rising from the port area in the early morning hours following the strike. Burned vehicles were visible near the docks.

Political Measures and Internal Divisions

Following the strike, Alimi imposed a no fly zone and ordered a sea and land blockade on all ports and border crossings for 72 hours. Exemptions would require authorization from the Saudi led coalition.

The measures exposed divisions within Yemen’s presidential council.

Aidarous al Zubaidi, head of the STC and deputy head of the presidential council, issued a joint statement with three other members of the council rejecting Alimi’s decisions.

The statement said the UAE remains a main partner in the fight against the Houthis and said the orders were issued without consensus.

It added that no individual or entity within or outside the presidential council has the authority to remove any country from the Arab Coalition. The statement said such matters are governed by regional frameworks, alliances, and international agreements.

Since 2022, the STC has been part of an alliance that controls southern areas outside Houthi control under a Saudi backed power sharing initiative.

The Houthis continue to control northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, after forcing the Saudi backed government to flee south.

The Saudi led coalition said it would continue to prevent any military support from any country to Yemeni factions without coordination with the legitimate government.

(With files from Reuters)