Saudi Arabia has warned that its national security is a red line after a Saudi led coalition airstrike on Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla targeted what it said was a UAE linked weapons shipment for southern separatist forces. The United Arab Emirates said it was disappointed by Riyadh’s stance and denied that the shipment contained weapons, saying it was destined for its own forces.
The strike, which Saudi state media said caused no casualties, hit a dock used to provide foreign military support to the UAE backed Southern Transitional Council, according to the coalition. Yemen’s Saudi backed presidential council head Rashad al Alimi then gave Emirati forces 24 hours to leave the country and cancelled a defence pact with the UAE, accusing it of fuelling strife by backing separatists.
Saudi Arabia alleged that the UAE had pressured the STC to launch military operations that reached the kingdom’s borders, calling its national security a red line. The rift has grown as Abu Dhabi supports southern separatists seeking self rule, while Riyadh backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
The coalition said two ships from the UAE port of Fujairah arrived in Mukalla, switched off their tracking systems and unloaded large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles to support the STC. Saudi media published video of a RoRo cargo vessel named Greenland, saying it offloaded the equipment, though Reuters could not verify the cargo.
Alimi imposed a 72 hour no fly zone and sea and ground blockade on all ports and crossings in the area, with exceptions only allowed by the coalition. Footage on Yemen state TV showed black smoke and burned vehicles at the port after the strike.
The UAE said its presence in Yemen was at the request of the recognised government and within the Saudi led coalition framework, urging all sides to handle tensions responsibly and avoid escalation. A joint statement by STC leader Aidarous al Zubaidi and three other members of the presidential council rejected Alimi’s orders and insisted the UAE remained a key partner in the fight against the Houthis.
The fallout adds strain to already diverging Saudi UAE ties, which have been tested over oil policy and regional influence. Gulf stock markets fell on the tensions, although OPEC+ members are still expected to keep oil output policy unchanged in the first quarter.
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