UAE Saudi Arabia Yemen Crisis 2025: Allies Clash as Forces Withdraw

The long-standing alliance between the Gulf's two most powerful monarchies is fracturing in broad daylight. On December 30, 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it's pulling its remaining counterterrorism units out of Yemen. The move comes immediately after Saudi Arabia backed an ultimatum demanding Emirati forces leave within 24 hours, signaling a major escalation in the UAE Saudi Arabia Yemen crisis 2025.

Escalation in the UAE Saudi Arabia Yemen Crisis 2025

Tensions boiled over following a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla. Riyadh claimed the strike targeted a weapons shipment linked to the UAE aboard the cargo vessel 'Greenland'. The UAE denied the allegations, stating the shipment contained only supplies for its personnel. In a televised address, Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's presidential council, accused the UAE of directing the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to rebel against the state, subsequently declaring a 72-hour blockade on all ports.

Regional Stability and Oil Markets at Risk

The rift between the once-close allies now threatens broader regional stability. In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly spoke with the Saudi Foreign Minister to discuss the deteriorating security situation. Beyond geopolitics, the friction could impact the OPEC+ alliance, where both nations are heavyweights. As Gulf stock indexes slide, analysts worry that the lack of consensus between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi may disrupt global oil production strategies in the coming year.