The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that it will withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, bringing an end to what it described as its “counterterrorism” mission in the country. The decision comes amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of backing separatist forces in southern Yemen and carried out an air strike on what it said was a UAE-linked weapons shipment.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, shortly after Yemen’s internationally recognised government demanded that the UAE withdraw its forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia backed this demand, further increasing pressure on Abu Dhabi.

Earlier the same day, coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia carried out an air strike on the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla. Saudi officials said the strike targeted a weapons shipment linked to the UAE that was allegedly meant for the separatist Southern Transition Council (STC). According to Riyadh, the shipment contained Emirati weapons and was intended to support the STC’s military operations.

The STC initially supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its fight against the Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen. However, earlier this month, the STC launched a military offensive against government forces backed by Saudi Arabia. The group has been seeking the creation of an independent state in southern Yemen.

The STC’s advance broke years of political and military deadlock. The separatist group seized control of large areas of southern Yemen, including the provinces of Hadramout and Mahara, despite warnings from Saudi Arabia. Hadramout shares a border with Saudi Arabia, while Mahara lies close to the Saudi border, raising security concerns for Riyadh.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia expressed disappointment over what it described as “pressure exerted by the UAE” on the STC to carry out military operations in Hadramout and Mahara. Saudi officials said these actions posed a direct threat to the kingdom’s security.

“In this context, the kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralise any such threat,” Saudi Arabia said in an official statement.

Following these fast-moving developments, the UAE Ministry of Defence announced that it had reviewed its role in Yemen and decided to end its mission. In a statement, the ministry said it had conducted a “comprehensive assessment” of its involvement in the country.

“In light of recent developments and their potential implications for the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism missions, the Ministry of Defence announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen on its own volition, in a manner that ensures the safety of its personnel,” the statement said.

The UAE’s decision came as regional leaders worked to reduce tensions that have emerged in recent days. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the statements issued by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, saying they reflected a commitment to regional stability.

Qatar said the statements showed a “commitment to prioritising the interests of the region, strengthening the principles of good neighbourliness, and adhering to the foundations and principles upon which the GCC Charter is based.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, held phone discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. According to officials, the talks focused on “regional developments.”

The Saudi-led coalition’s strike on Mukalla highlighted growing divisions within the coalition that was formed in 2015 to fight the Houthis. Emirati troops first arrived in Yemen that year as part of the coalition, but the UAE withdrew most of its forces in 2019, leaving behind only a limited presence in government-controlled southern areas.

After the Mukalla strike, Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s Saudi-backed presidential council, announced the dissolution of a defence agreement with the UAE. He also issued a 24-hour deadline for Emirati forces to leave the country.

In a televised address, al-Alimi said it had been “definitively confirmed ‌that the UAE pressured and directed the STC to undermine and rebel against the authority of the state through military escalation,” according to Yemen’s state news agency.

Saudi Arabia supported al-Alimi’s decision and called on the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemeni territory. Riyadh also urged Abu Dhabi to stop “any military or financial support to any party” inside Yemen.

The UAE responded by saying it was surprised by the Saudi-led air strike on Mukalla. Emirati officials said the shipment targeted in the strike did not contain weapons and was meant for UAE forces stationed in Yemen, not the STC.

The UAE also said it remained committed to Saudi Arabia’s security and was seeking to de-escalate the situation.

It stated that it was looking for a solution “that prevents escalation, based on reliable facts and existing coordination.”

Yemeni state television aired footage showing what it described as black smoke rising from the port of Mukalla early in the morning, along with images of burned vehicles. According to officials, the air strike did not result in any casualties.

Following the attack, al-Alimi declared a no-fly zone and imposed a sea and ground blockade on all ports and crossings for 72 hours.

Despite the developments, the STC remained defiant and refused to withdraw from the areas it had captured. STC spokesman Anwar al-Tamimi told AFP that there was “no thinking about withdrawal” from its current positions.

“It is unreasonable for the landowner to be asked to leave his own land. The situation requires staying and reinforcing,” al-Tamimi said.

He added, “We are in a defensive position, and any movement toward our forces will be responded to by our forces.”