Saudis State Airstrike in Yemen Aimed at Arms from U.A.E.
The coalition led by Saudi Arabia engaged in Yemen announced that it executed a “limited” airstrike on Tuesday, targeting an arms delivery intended for separatists supported by the United Arab Emirates. This marked a notable escalation, highlighting a growing divide between the two Gulf nations. The attack, which took place at the port of al-Mukalla in southern Yemen, was initiated by the arrival of two vessels from the Emirates that entered the port without authorization, according to Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, the coalition’s chief spokesman, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Following the docking of the ships, crew members began unloading a “large quantity” of arms and armored vehicles, Brigadier al-Malki stated. He indicated that the weapons were designated for the Southern Transitional Council, or S.T.C., a separatist entity funded by the United Arab Emirates. “Due to the threat and escalation posed by these arms, which jeopardize security and stability, the coalition’s air forces conducted a limited military operation this morning targeting the equipment,” Brigadier al-Malki remarked. After the strike, the official Yemeni government declared it was terminating a joint defense agreement with the Emirates and ordered all Emirati personnel to leave Yemen within 24 hours. Additionally, the government announced a 90-day state of emergency, noting it would close all access points into Yemen by land, sea, and air for 72 hours.
This airstrike represents the first known instance of Saudi forces directly targeting resources they claimed were associated with the S.T.C. It followed a tense weekend where Saudi Arabia issued a demand for the separatists to withdraw from territories in the eastern provinces of Hadramaut and al-Mahra, which they had acquired in a swift offensive earlier this month. The Emirati foreign ministry did not promptly respond to inquiries on Tuesday. The Saudi foreign ministry accused the Emirates of supporting the S.T.C.’s recent territorial gains, branding that an “extremely dangerous” move. The developments of the preceding week have emphasized the complex web of allegiances within Yemen’s civil conflict. The S.T.C. is technically part of the official government structure, yet it has persistently pushed for an independent state in southern Yemen. Ahmed Saleh, a local journalist, reported witnessing numerous vehicles damaged post-strike and flames rising from the port facility, with military trucks surrounding the area. “The explosions broke and damaged the windows of the building near the port,” he stated via phone.
An image shared by Mr. Saleh with The New York Times displayed a sizable industrial yard filled with dozens of military vehicles, predominantly armored cars and pickup trucks, many of which were heavily charred or destroyed. Residents in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramaut, reported hearing a significant explosion around 4:20 a.m. Shortly thereafter, images and videos circulating on social media depicted large flames erupting from the port. The coalition’s airstrike followed an official plea for military action from Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, who asserted that the S.T.C.’s recent actions were steering the nation towards “chaos and division” and accused the Emirates of exacerbating the conflict. “This is an escalatory step against the security and stability of the governorates of Hadramaut and al-Mahra,” Mr. al-Alimi proclaimed in a televised address, referring to it as “a continuation of systematic work over the years.”
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have historically been formal allies against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who receive support from Iran. Nevertheless, while the Saudis are intent on bolstering the official government and its military to maintain Yemen’s unity, the Emirates has chosen to align with the S.T.C.’s ambitions of establishing a state in southern Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition conducted warning strikes last week in Hadramaut designed to halt the S.T.C.’s progress and demonstrate the Saudis’ dedication to safeguarding the Yemeni government’s authority in the east. Reports indicated that S.T.C. supporters had been holding demonstrations in Mukalla for several days, brandishing the flag of what was once independent South Yemen.
Published: 2025-12-30 11:23:00
source: www.nytimes.com
