The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday rebuffed accusations from Saudi Arabia that it was fanning the conflict in Yemen after Riyadh said it struck an Emirati weapons shipment destined for separatist forces.
This comes following the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen carried out a “military operation” targeting “weapons and combat vehicles” unloaded from ships, which according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had arrived from the UAE, at the port of Mukalla in Hadramawt Governorate.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates affirms its total rejection of the allegations related to fueling the Yemeni conflict,” government spokesperson Afra Al Hameli wrote on X.
A statement from the Ministry categorically rejected any attempt to implicate the country in tensions among Yemeni parties and strongly denounced allegations that it exerted pressure on, or issued directives to, any Yemeni party to undertake military operations that would undermine the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or target its borders..
The UAE affirms its unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its full respect for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national security, it added.
It confirmed that the shipment referred to did not include any weapons, and that the vehicles mentioned were not allocated to any Yemeni party, but were shipped for use by UAE forces operating in Yemen.
The UAE further stressed that since the outset of the developments in the governorates of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahrah, its position has focused on containing the situation, supporting de-escalation efforts. (Agencies)
