UAE Yemen Withdrawal 2025: Breaking Point in the Saudi Alliance

Once brothers-in-arms, now bitter rivals. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced it's pulling all remaining 'counterterrorism' units from Yemen. This seismic shift follows a Saudi Arabia-led airstrike on a vessel linked to UAE interests, marking the final collapse of a decade-long military cooperation.

UAE Yemen Withdrawal 2025: Escalation After Mukalla Port Strike

The breaking point occurred at the Port of Mukalla. Saudi-led forces intercepted and attacked a shipment they claimed was carrying weapons for the Southern Transition Council (STC), a separatist group allegedly backed by Abu Dhabi. In a rapid-fire sequence of events on December 31, 2025, Yemen's President Rashad al-Alimi dissolved the defense pact with the UAE and issued a 24-hour expulsion notice. Riyadh backed this move, labeling UAE’s influence on the STC as a 'red line' for its national security.

A Growing Rift in the Southern Front

While the UAE insists its mission is complete, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The STC, which now controls vast areas including the Hadramout province, has refused to retreat. Yemen's state TV reported a 72-hour blockade on all ports and a total no-fly zone as the government attempts to regain control. The exit of Emirati forces ends their formal presence that began in 2015, leaving a power vacuum that may redefine the region’s map.