Saudi Arabia has initiated limited airstrikes on the Port of Mukalla in southeastern Yemen, claiming to act on behalf of the “Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.” The Saudi government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of sending unauthorized military equipment to the port and has demanded the immediate withdrawal of UAE forces. This escalation is particularly concerning given the long-standing rivalry between the two nations, each backing different factions in Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
The UAE supports the Southern Transitional Council, which has been consolidating power and expanding its influence in southern Yemen, moving closer to Saudi Arabia’s interests. The Saudi Press Agency reported that two vessels had arrived at Mukalla from Fujairah without proper permits, allegedly unloading weapons and combat vehicles intended for the Southern Transitional Council. One of the vessels, identified as the Greenland, is flagged in St. Kitts and Nevis and managed by a UAE-based company.
In response to the Saudi accusations, UAE officials have denied wrongdoing, claiming their focus remains on counterterrorism and asserting that they had previously withdrawn military forces in 2019. Following the airstrikes, the UAE indicated it would voluntarily withdraw its remaining troops from Yemen. Analysts warn that this confrontation could signal a dangerous new phase in Yemen’s protracted civil war.
