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Yemen on Tuesday announced the cancellation of a joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and demanded the immediate withdrawal of all Emirati forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, amid escalating tensions in the country’s south.
Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi said in a televised address that all Emirati forces must leave Yemen within 24 hours, citing recent arms shipments from the UAE to the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
Al-Alimi also announced a nationwide state of emergency for 90 days, along with a 72-hour air and land ban on all ports and border crossings.
He said the decision followed what he described as a long-standing pattern of pressure by Abu Dhabi on the STC to act unilaterally and undermine state institutions represented by the Presidential Leadership Council and the government.
Al-Alimi accused the UAE of encouraging military escalation, attacks on Yemeni armed forces, assaults on tribes in Hadramout, and violations against civilians.
He stressed that the southern issue is a legitimate cause, but said it cannot be exploited to pursue political objectives or weaken state authority.
Saudi Arabia echoed Yemen’s call, urging the UAE to comply with the withdrawal request within 24 hours.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it was disappointed by what it called “highly dangerous” actions by the UAE, including pressuring STC forces to conduct military operations near Saudi Arabia’s southern borders in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.
Riyadh said the moves pose a direct threat to Saudi national security and Yemen’s stability, describing such threats as a “red line.”
The ministry warned that the Kingdom would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to neutralize any threat to its security.
Saudi Arabia said the UAE’s actions were inconsistent with the principles of the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen and reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and internationally recognized government.
Tensions escalated after the Saudi-led coalition carried out what it described as a “limited” airstrike on two ships at Yemen’s Mukalla port.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the vessels arrived from the UAE port of Fujairah on Dec. 27–28 without authorization and were carrying weapons and armored vehicles intended for STC forces.
Al-Alimi said these developments reflect an effort to destabilize Yemen and paralyze constitutional institutions.
The crisis comes after STC forces seized control of Hadramout and Al-Mahra earlier this month following clashes with government forces.
The STC claims southern regions have been politically and economically marginalized and has called for separation from northern Yemen, a position rejected by Yemeni authorities, who insist on preserving territorial unity.
There was no immediate comment from the UAE on the announcements by Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
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