The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that it will pull out its remaining forces from Yemen. The move came after Saudi Arabia issued a 24-hour demand for Emirati troops to leave the country. Tensions have risen sharply following a major advance by separatist forces backed by Abu Dhabi.

According to AFP, the UAE defence ministry said it was withdrawing its “counter-terrorism teams… of its own volition”. At the same time, it rejected claims that it was supporting the recent separatist offensive.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen Demand Exit

Earlier in the day, Yemen’s presidential council and Saudi Arabia both called for the immediate withdrawal of Emirati troops. Saudi Arabia remains a rival powerbroker to the UAE inside Yemen, despite both being part of the same coalition.

The announcement followed pre-dawn air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition at Mukalla port. The coalition said it targeted an Emirati shipment carrying weapons meant for separatist fighters. The UAE strongly denied this claim.

Air Strikes Hit Mukalla Port

AFP footage from Mukalla port showed heavy damage. Dozens of military vehicles and pickup trucks stood at the site. Several were burnt and still smouldering as workers sprayed water to cool them down.

The UAE said the shipment only carried vehicles meant for its own forces. It said no weapons were on board.

Separatist Gains Raise Alarm

The developments followed rapid advances this month by the Southern Transitional Council. The STC is backed by the UAE and has moved across the resource-rich provinces of Hadramawt and Mahra.

These gains have raised fears of renewed instability after more than ten years of civil war in Yemen.

Rare Public Rift Between Allies

The withdrawal came after a rare public dispute between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of pushing STC forces “to conduct military operations” near its southern border.

A Saudi foreign ministry statement warned, “The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous.” It added, “The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line.”

On the same day, the head of Yemen’s presidential council cancelled a defence agreement with the UAE. He also declared a 90-day state of emergency.

UAE Rejects All Accusations

Abu Dhabi denied any role in directing separatist operations. It said the claims were false.

The UAE “condemns the claims made regarding the exertion of pressure or direction on any Yemeni party to carry out military operations”, the statement said. It added, “The shipment in question did not contain any weapons, and the vehicles unloaded were not intended for any Yemeni party.”

Calls for Dialogue Continue

Despite rising tensions, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they remain open to talks.

“Diplomacy is still an option to stop any further escalation,” a source close to the Saudi-led coalition told AFP.

STC Refuses to Pull Back

The Southern Transitional Council showed no sign of retreat. It said it would stay in areas it recently seized.

“There is no thinking about withdrawal,” STC spokesman Anwar Al-Tamimi said. “It is unreasonable for the landowner to be asked to leave his own land. The situation requires staying and reinforcing.”

He added, “We are in a defensive position, and any movement toward our forces will be responded to by our forces.”

Tamimi also claimed Saudi Arabia had deployed around 20,000 security forces near the Hadramawt border, close to STC positions.

Civilians Describe Fear After Strikes

The STC remains part of Yemen’s fragile government alliance, which is united mainly by opposition to the Houthis.

In Mukalla, residents described fear and damage after the air strikes. Abdullah Bazuhair, whose home overlooks the port, showed AFP shattered windows and glass scattered across his floor.

“The children were terrified and the women frightened,” he said, calling the strikes “unacceptable to God”.

Military Pressure Builds Near Border

The Saudi-led coalition has warned separatist forces to withdraw. It has said it will support Yemen’s government if fighting breaks out.

Tuesday’s strike followed reports of Saudi air raids on separatist positions in Hadramawt last week. A Yemeni military official said on Friday that about 15,000 Saudi-backed fighters had gathered near the border, though they had not yet received orders to advance.