UAE Completes Military Withdrawal from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that it has completed the withdrawal of all its armed forces from Yemen, in line with a previous decision to cease remaining military operations in the country.
The ministry stated that the withdrawal was executed to ensure the safety of personnel and was carried out in full coordination with relevant partners.
This announcement coincides with increasing political and military tensions in southern Yemen, where Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Southern Transitional Council, declared a state of emergency for 90 days and demanded the immediate departure of UAE forces within 24 hours. This demand followed military movements by the council in the Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates.
Al-Alimi underscored the importance of adhering to recent sovereign decisions, cautioning against any attempts to undermine or obstruct these directives.
In a related development, the Governor of Hadhramaut has called on the Transitional Council to vacate Al-Mukalla Airport. Meanwhile, Al-Alimi is overseeing the process of receiving military camps and ensuring compliance with sovereign decisions, in coordination with the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, to promote de-escalation and protect civilians.
An official source from the Yemeni presidency confirmed that Al-Alimi has been updated on the operation's progress and the measures being taken by the Governor of Hadhramaut and Commander of the "National Shield" forces, Salem Al-Khanbashi. The focus remains on maintaining security and stability while preventing chaos and safeguarding citizens' interests.
