• Withdrawal comes after Saudi ‘ultimatum’, airstrikes on port
• Yemeni regime ‘terminates’ defence pact with UAE
• Aden declares state of emergency
• Rubio phones Saudi counterpart
• Pakistan engages in quiet diplomacy
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has moved to de-escalate tensions with its close ally by announcing the immediate withdrawal of its remaining forces from Yemen, after Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on the Mukalla port and supported a call for UAE forces to leave within 24 hours.
In a statement, the UAE’s defence ministry said it had voluntarily ended the deployment of its counterterrorism units in Yemen, state news agency WAM reported. It said the decision came after a comprehensive assessment following recent developments.
The withdrawal follows a spike in diplomatic tensions on Tuesday morning, precipitated by Saudi airstrikes on the port and accusations that two UAE ships had delivered weapons to separatist forces.
In spite of the spike in tensions, both nations maintained a careful diplomatic tone in their official communiqués.
Statements released during the crisis continued to emphasise the strength of the Gulf alliance, with officials actively employing the language of respect.
Despite the withdrawal announcement, the UAE rejected the initial accusations, expressing surprise at the “limited” strikes.
In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry said the vehicles were intended for Emirati forces following coordination with the coalition.
Abu Dhabi also rejected attempts to implicate it in Yemeni tensions, saying it “condemns the allegations that it pressured or directed any Yemeni party” to threaten Saudi borders.
The conflict was said to have been sparked when Saudi intelligence identified vessels at Mukalla offloading heavy weaponry and armoured vehicles, thought to be intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The airstrikes were launched moments after the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, accused the UAE of directing forces to “rebel against the state authority”.
Following the strikes, the leader of Yemen’s presidential council declared a state of emergency and cancelled a security pact with Abu Dhabi after STC forces seized swaths of territory.
US concern
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, about ongoing tensions in Yemen and regional security, the State Department said on Tuesday.
“The United States is concerned by recent events in southeastern Yemen. We urge restraint and continued diplomacy, with a view to reaching a lasting solution,” Rubio said. “We are grateful for the diplomatic leadership of our partners... and remain supportive of all efforts to advance our shared security interests.”
Quiet diplomacy
Pakistan on Tuesday adopted a decidedly diplomatic path amid escalating tensions between Riyadh and the Emirates, quietly prioritising de-escalation through parallel, high-level engagement with both its allies in the Gulf.
Islamabad issued no formal statement on the matter, but senior Pakistani leaders moved swiftly on the diplomatic front.
PM Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Rahim Yar Khan to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was in Pakistan on a private visit.
There was no public reference to regional tensions in the statement, though it noted discussion on a “variety of subjects”.
Almost simultaneously, Mr Dar held a telephone call with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Office said.
Here too, there was no explicit public mention of Yemen, but the statement did mention that “current regional situation and recent developments” were discussed.
Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2025