Yemen cancels defense pact with UAE

Yemen cancels defense pact with UAE
2025-12-30T09:55:52+00:00

Shafaq News– Sanaa (Updated at 13:42)

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad Al-Alimi on Tuesday revoked a joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, ordering Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours.

The agreement, formed under the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015 to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis (Ansarallah) movement, had allowed Emirati forces to operate in southern and eastern Yemen on counterterrorism, port security, and support missions in coordination with coalition partners.

In a statement, Al-Alimi framed the decision as a measure to protect civilians, preserve national unity and sovereignty, and address security threats linked to the Houthis' insurgency that began in 2014, while directing the Saudi-backed Dera’ Al-Watan (Nation’s Shield) Forces to assume control of military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

Recent actions by the Southern Transitional Council in the two provinces risk escalation, he warned, accusing the UAE of “fueling instability and weakening state institutions.” While praising Saudi Arabia’s de-escalation efforts, Al-Alimi criticized alleged unauthorized weapons deliveries to Mukalla port, vowing that any rebellion would be addressed through constitutional and legal channels.

Within hours, council members aligned with the UAE issued a joint statement rejecting the decision as a “clear breach” of the power-transfer framework governing the Presidential Leadership Council. Those taking unilateral steps, they warned, would be held accountable for the resulting political fallout, urging a “correction of course” and a return to consensus-based partnership to “prevent further deterioration.”

Earlier today, Al-Alimi declared a nationwide state of emergency starting December 30, 2025, for 90 days with the option of renewal. The decree expanded the authority of Hadramout and Al-Mahra governors, mandated coordination with Dera’ Al-Watan Forces, and ordered a 72-hour closure of air, sea, and land ports, excluding coalition-approved movements.

The Yemeni government, in a statement, also endorsed the measures as “lawful responses” to rising tensions in the eastern provinces. It welcomed the Saudi-led coalition strike at Mukalla port, characterizing it as “limited and precise” to prevent unauthorized military support and avoid port militarization that could threaten regional and international maritime security.

Authorities cautioned that unilateral STC deployments and weapons transfers outside official channels undermine de-escalation efforts, national cohesion, and economic recovery, urging the group to withdraw from Hadramout and Al-Mahra, hand over sites to local authorities and Dera’ Al-Watan Forces, and halt all escalatory actions.

Separately, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of backing the STC’s moves and endangering Yemen’s stability, with the Saudi Foreign Ministry warning that Emirati pressure on STC units to operate near the kingdom’s southern border poses a direct “threat” to Saudi national security.

Riyadh described the developments as “inconsistent” with coalition principles, calling on Abu Dhabi to comply with the withdrawal demand and end assistance to armed groups outside state control. Southern grievances, it added, should be addressed through inclusive political dialogue involving all Yemeni parties, including the STC.

Earlier the same day, the coalition announced an operation at Mukalla port targeting weapons and armored vehicles, it said arrived from the UAE without authorization, with spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki stating the action was carried out at the request of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council to protect civilians in Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

Al-Maliki reported that two vessels from Fujairah entered the port without approval, disabled tracking systems, and unloaded arms and vehicles for STC forces in breach of de-escalation commitments, adding that no casualties or collateral damage were recorded.

The strike followed prior warnings for civilians to evacuate the port and notices that unauthorized STC movements would be targeted, with local media reporting fires at the site.

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