Yemen's President Orders Emirati Forces to Leave Within 24 Hours Amid Rising Tensions

In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through Yemen's political and military landscape, President Rashad Alimi of the Presidential Leadership Council announced on Tuesday the cancellation of the defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates. He has ordered Emirati forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, stating that "Yemen cannot afford to open new fronts of exhaustion" and asserting that his country is "stronger with the support of the Saudi-led coalition."

In a televised address, Alimi emphasized that the Southern Transitional Council has failed to respond to calls for resolving disputes and making decisions. He noted that the shipment of arms by two vessels from Fujairah to the Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadramout and Mahra represents an unacceptable escalation.

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

President Alimi affirmed the state's commitment to protecting civilians, announcing a 72-hour air, sea, and land curfew in Yemen, along with a renewable 90-day state of emergency. He clarified that operations conducted by the Saudi coalition are exempt from this ban.

He also instructed the "Homeland Shield" forces to take control of camps in the Hadramout and Mahra governorates, granting governors the necessary powers to manage affairs in these regions.

Alimi stressed that "the blood of Yemenis is a red line that must not be crossed," asserting that the Presidential Leadership Council is the only constitutional framework for resolving disputes. He condemned any exploitation of the southern issue for illegitimate political goals as completely unacceptable.

He added: "We have never abandoned our responsibilities in the southern governorates."

Alimi's announcement came shortly after Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the coalition forces, revealed that two ships from Fujairah had entered the port of Mukalla without official authorization, carrying arms and combat vehicles to support the Southern Transitional Council. This action constitutes a violation of the ceasefire and UN Security Council Resolution 2216 from 2015.

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

He also emphasized the coalition's ongoing efforts to reduce tensions and prevent any military support to Yemeni factions without coordination with the legitimate Yemeni government, in order to maintain security and stability and avoid further escalation of the conflict.