Yemen: The Saudi Coalition Bombs Al-Mukalla Port Targeting Weapons on Two Ships Coming from the UAE

SadaNews - On Tuesday, the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, demanded that Emirati forces withdraw from all Yemeni territory within 24 hours, and announced the cancellation of the mutual defense agreement with the UAE.

Al-Alimi announced a 72-hour air and land blockade on all ports and crossings. This comes after the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen bombed weapons and combat vehicles that arrived on two ships at Al-Mukalla port in Hadhramaut, amidst sudden military movements of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, which recently took control of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra and refused to withdraw.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced on Tuesday the implementation of a limited military operation targeting weapons and combat vehicles that had arrived from the UAE to Al-Mukalla port in Hadhramaut, which the STC, backed by the UAE, had recently seized, in a step that reflects a new escalation in the ongoing Yemeni conflict for over ten years.

This announcement came after the coalition warned of conducting a military operation and called for civilians to evacuate Al-Mukalla port for their safety, following threats to target any military movements by the STC amid mutual accusations between the parties regarding the airstrikes.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the coalition supporting legitimacy requested civilians to leave the port until further notice, explaining that this procedure aims to protect civilians during the military operation.

Later, the agency quoted the leadership of the coalition's joint forces stating that the airstrike executed was limited and precise, and did not result in any casualties or collateral damage within the port.

The coalition noted that it had monitored two ships coming from Al-Fujairah port to Al-Mukalla port over the past two days without obtaining official permits, indicating that they had disabled tracking systems and offloaded weapons to support the STC forces, which contributes to escalating the conflict.

For his part, the official spokesman for the coalition forces, Turki Al-Maliki, stated that the operation was in response to a request from the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Hadhramaut, in light of what he described as serious violations committed by armed elements affiliated with the STC.

Al-Maliki affirmed that the coalition continues its joint efforts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to de-escalate, to have STC forces withdraw from camps, and to hand them over to the National Shield forces, enabling local authorities to perform their tasks, stressing that any military movements that obstruct these efforts will be dealt with directly.

Al-Maliki concluded by confirming the coalition's firm support for the legitimate Yemeni government, calling on all parties to bear national responsibility, exercise restraint, and engage in peaceful solutions to preserve Yemen's security and stability.

Four members of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council stated in a statement that "no individual or party within or outside the Presidential Leadership Council has the authority to expel any state from the coalition."

The members added that "what was issued by the President of the Presidential Leadership Council is a clear violation of the declaration of power transfer, which should be taken by consensus."

Al-Alimi Demands UAE to Withdraw Its Forces Within 24 Hours and Declares a State of Emergency in Yemen

The President of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Al-Alimi, called on the UAE to withdraw its forces and leave Yemen within 24 hours, asserting that Yemen is stronger with the support of the Saudi-led coalition.

Al-Alimi announced the cancellation of the mutual defense agreement with the UAE and considered its role to be directed against the Yemeni people.

He also imposed a 72-hour air, land, and sea blockade and announced a state of emergency in Yemen for 90 days, subject to extension, with exceptions for any operations that may be carried out by the coalition.

Al-Alimi called on the National Shield forces to take over the camps in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra and granted the governors of the two provinces the powers to manage their affairs, emphasizing the rejection of exploiting the southern issue to hinder constitutional institutions and protect the blood of Yemenis.

Saudi Arabia Warns UAE: Any Threat to the Kingdom's Security is a Red Line and Affirms the Need for a Political Solution in Yemen

The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed its deep regret regarding the UAE's pressures on the STC in Yemen to push its forces to conduct operations along the border with the Kingdom, describing these steps as extremely dangerous and counterproductive to achieving security and stability in Yemen.

The ministry affirmed that any harm to or threat against Saudi national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to confront and neutralize it.

The ministry stressed the importance of the UAE ceasing any military or financial support to any party within Yemen, indicating that the southern issue is just and that the only way to address it is through dialogue at the table of a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia clarified that the UAE's steps are not consistent with the principles on which the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen is based, and do not serve the coalition's efforts to achieve security and stability in the country.

UAE Expresses "Regret" Over Saudi Statement and Its