UAE to withdraw troops from Yemen amid growing international pressure

UAE Announces Withdrawal of Forces from Yemen Amid Tensions with Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will withdraw its “counterterrorism” units from Yemen, following a demand from the internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia. The move comes after Saudi-led coalition forces attacked the southern port city of Mukalla, targeting what Riyadh said was a UAE-linked weapons shipment.

Yemen’s government had called for the UAE to pull its forces from the country within 24 hours, a request backed by Saudi Arabia. The attack on Mukalla occurred hours before the announcement, with Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces claiming to have targeted a UAE-linked shipment destined for the separatist Southern Transition Council (STC).

The STC, which initially supported Yemen’s government against the Houthi rebels, launched an offensive against Saudi-backed government troops this month. The advance has resulted in the seizure of control over broad swaths of southern Yemen, including the Hadramout and Mahara provinces.

Saudi Arabia expressed disappointment at “pressure exerted by the UAE” on the STC to conduct military operations in the affected regions. Riyadh stated that it considers these moves a threat to its national security.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen, citing concerns for the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism missions. The move comes amid efforts to tamp down tensions that have erupted in recent days.

Separately, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held telephone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, discussing regional developments.

The announcement marks a significant shift in the conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing since 2015. The UAE’s withdrawal from the country follows its previous pullout of most forces in 2019, leaving only a limited number in the government-run south.

Source: Al Jazeera