Yemen Calls on UAE to Withdraw Within 24 Hours

Chair of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, on Tuesday demanded that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours, announcing the cancellation of the joint defense agreement between the two sides.

The move came after a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen conducted a “limited military operation” targeting “weapons and combat vehicles” said to be arriving from the UAE at the port of Mukalla in Hadhramaut Governorate on Tuesday.

In a separate decree, al-Alimi announced a 90-day state of emergency, and imposed a 72-hour air, sea, and land blockade on all ports and border crossings.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday called on the UAE to comply with the Republic of Yemen’s request to withdraw its military forces from Yemen within 24 hours and to cease all military or financial support to any party.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed its regret over the pressure exercised by the UAE on the Southern Transitional Council forces.

It stressed that the steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous, inconsistent with the principles upon which the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve the coalition’s goal of achieving security and stability in Yemen.