Saudi Arabia calls UAE actions in Yemen “highly dangerous” after striking a shipment, as rivalry over support for separatists escalates into open dispute.
AL MUKALLA: Saudi Arabia has declared a United Arab Emirates-backed separatist advance in Yemen a threat to its national security. The kingdom’s foreign ministry labelled Abu Dhabi’s actions “highly dangerous” in a strongly worded statement.
The statement followed a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on a shipment at the port of Al-Mukalla. The coalition said it targeted weapons and combat vehicles unloaded from two ships that had arrived from the UAE.
“The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous,” the Saudi statement said. It stressed that any threat to its security is a red line, and it would take all necessary measures to confront it.
The UAE rebuffed the accusations, stating the shipment did not contain weapons. It said the vehicles were not intended for any Yemeni party and condemned claims it directed military operations affecting Saudi security.
In recent weeks, UAE-backed separatists seeking to revive South Yemen have made sweeping territorial gains. Experts say their successes have embarrassed Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Following the strikes, the head of Yemen’s presidential council declared a 90-day state of emergency. Rashad al-Alimi also annulled a security pact with the UAE over the separatists’ advance.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a key government member backed by the UAE, rejected the decision. It said the move threatened to “drag Yemen into new confrontations”.
Saudi Arabia expressed disappointment at the UAE for “pressuring” the STC to conduct operations on the kingdom’s southern border. It called these actions a threat to regional security and stability.
A source close to the Saudi military coalition said diplomacy had failed, forcing the airstrike. “The coalition was forced to do that. All diplomacy efforts met deaf ears,” the source told AFP.
Riyadh also backed a demand for Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours. It urged Abu Dhabi to cut off military and financial support for Yemeni groups.
An official at Al-Mukalla port said they received an evacuation warning before the strike. Footage showed dozens of parked military vehicles, with several burnt out and smouldering.
Local resident Abdullah Bazuhair showed damage to his home overlooking the port. “The children were terrified and the women frightened,” he said, calling the strikes “unacceptable to God”.
The coalition warned it would back Yemen’s government in any military confrontation with separatists. It urged them to withdraw from recently seized territories in Hadramawt and Mahra governorates.
