Yemen's President Orders UAE Troops to Withdraw Within 24 Hours Amid Rising Tensions

In a significant development in Yemen's political and military landscape, President Rashad Alimi of the Yemeni Presidential Council announced on Tuesday the termination of the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He ordered Emirati forces to exit Yemeni territory within 24 hours, stating that "Yemen cannot endure new fronts of exhaustion" and emphasizing that his country is "stronger with the support of the Saudi-led coalition."

In a televised address, Alimi pointed out that the Southern Transitional Council had refused to heed calls for resolving differences and making decisions. He deemed the shipment of weapons via two vessels from Fujairah in the UAE to the forces of the Southern Transitional Council in Hadramaut and Al-Mahra as an unacceptable escalation.

He added: "The role of the UAE has turned against the Yemeni people."

President Alimi reaffirmed the state's commitment to protecting civilians and announced a 72-hour air, sea, and land blockade in Yemen, along with a state of emergency for 90 days, which may be extended. He noted that all actions from the Saudi coalition would be exempt from this ban.

He also directed the "National Guard" to mobilize to take over military camps in Hadramaut and Al-Mahra and empowered governors to manage provincial affairs.

Alimi emphasized that "the blood of Yemenis is a red line that must not be crossed" and clarified that the Presidential Council is the only constitutional framework for resolving disputes, stating that any exploitation of southerners for unlawful political objectives is completely unacceptable.

He added: "We have never withdrawn from our responsibilities in the southern provinces."

Alimi's announcement came just hours after Major General Turki al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for coalition forces, revealed that two ships had arrived at the port of Mukalla from Fujairah without official permits, loaded with weapons and military vehicles to support the Southern Transitional Council. This is seen as a violation of the ceasefire and a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 from 2015.

Al-Maliki noted that the coalition conducted a limited military operation on Tuesday morning to target the weapons and vehicles unloaded at Mukalla, confirming that the operation was carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law, without any casualties or collateral damage.

He also stressed that the coalition leadership would continue to reduce escalation and prevent the arrival of any military support to any Yemeni faction without coordination with the legitimate Yemeni government to maintain security and stability and prevent further conflict escalation.