Washington [US], December 31: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it will withdraw all remaining forces from Yemen, after Saudi Arabia supported a call for UAE units to leave within 24 hours.
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed on December 30 that the troop withdrawal was a voluntary decision, ending the mission of its counter- terrorism units - the only remaining force in Yemen since Abu Dhabi announced the end of its military role in 2019. According to the UAE, its remaining presence is limited to specialized personnel coordinating with international partners within the framework of counter-terrorism efforts.
The state news agency WAM quoted a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defence saying that recent developments prompted Abu Dhabi to conduct a comprehensive assessment and decide to withdraw its forces to avoid escalating tensions.
Hours earlier, the Saudi- led military coalition launched an airstrike on the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen . Saudi Arabia said the attack targeted a shipment of weapons linked to the UAE, marking the most serious escalation in the deepening conflict between the two Gulf nations, according to Reuters on December 31.
For its part, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of pressuring the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to move closer to its border, considering this a direct threat to national security and a "red line".
The UAE rejected the accusation, stating that it was surprised by the airstrike in Mukalla and asserting that the targeted shipments did not contain weapons, but were intended only for UAE forces. The UAE stressed that it is seeking a solution to "prevent escalation," based on reliable information and existing coordination mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Yemen's President of the Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, stated that "there is evidence that the UAE pressured and directed the STC to undermine the state government through military escalation."
In light of this situation, on December 30, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to discuss the situation in Yemen and other issues affecting security in the Middle East.
Several Gulf states, including Kuwait and Bahrain, said they would support any efforts to enhance dialogue and achieve a political solution to de-escalate tensions. Qatar stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states "is an integral part" of its own security.
Reuters quoted observers as saying that the UAE's troop withdrawal could help de-escalate tensions in the short term, but doubts remain about whether Abu Dhabi will continue to support the STC.
The disagreement between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has also raised concerns about its potential impact on consensus within OPEC, where both countries play a key role in coordinating oil production. OPEC+ members will meet virtually on January 4, 2026.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper