UAE Succumbs to Saudi Arabia and Ends Its Military Presence in Yemen

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally announced the end of its military presence in Yemen, a move that comes amid clear Saudi pressure and direct military action. The announcement followed Saudi air strikes targeting vessels reportedly carrying UAE weapons inside Yemeni territory, underscoring Riyadh’s determination to impose its will and draw red lines that Abu Dhabi ultimately complied with.

In an earlier and unusually blunt statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced strong regret over what it described as dangerous Emirati interference, accusing Abu Dhabi of exerting pressure on forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to carry out military operations along the Kingdom’s southern border in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Saudi officials warned that such actions pose a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and risk plunging Yemen and the wider region into further instability.

The Saudi statement described the UAE steps as extremely serious and reckless, stressing that they fundamentally contradict the principles upon which the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen was founded. It added that these actions undermine, rather than support, declared efforts to restore security and stability in Yemen.

Riyadh further underlined that Abu Dhabi must comply with the request of the Republic of Yemen to withdraw all its military forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, and to immediately halt any form of military or financial backing to any armed faction inside the country, warning against continued violations under any pretext.

The escalation followed statements issued by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and by the leadership of the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the unauthorized movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy military vehicles from Fujairah Port to Mukalla Port, without obtaining approval from the Coalition’s Joint Forces Command. Saudi Arabia made clear that such actions constitute a blatant breach of coalition discipline and a direct challenge to its authority.

Concluding its warning, the Kingdom declared that any infringement upon or threat to its national security is a red line that will not be tolerated, affirming that it will take all necessary steps and measures—without hesitation—to confront, deter, and neutralize any party that endangers its security or seeks to destabilize Yemen and the region.