Saudi Arabia has backed a demand by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to withdraw within 24 hours, after a Saudi-led coalition bombed what it described as an arms shipment for UAE-backed separatists at the port of Mukalla, the BBC reported, as cited by Gazeta Express.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UAE of “exerting pressure” on the Southern Transitional Council (STC)—which seeks independence for southern Yemen—to launch recent offensives in the eastern provinces of Hadramawt and al-Mahra.
The Kingdom warned that it would take measures to confront what it described as “highly dangerous” actions.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that the shipment contained weapons and expressed its “deep regret” over the Saudi statement. It strongly rejected allegations that it had pressured or directed any Yemeni party to carry out military operations that would undermine Saudi Arabia’s security or target its borders.
STC leaders also stated that the ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of UAE forces lacked legal basis and insisted that the council would remain a “key partner” in the fight against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls most of north-western Yemen.
Earlier on Monday, the head of the eight-member Presidential Leadership Council—which includes STC representatives—announced the cancellation of a joint defense pact with the UAE and ordered its forces to withdraw “in the interest of preserving the security of all citizens, while reaffirming commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity.”
Rashad al-Alimi also declared a 90-day state of emergency, stating that it was necessary to confront the Houthis and what he described as an “internal conflict led by rebel military elements taking orders from the United Arab Emirates.”
