Saudi Arabia bombs Mukalla, UAE cries foul: A rare Gulf alliance rupture in Yemen | All you need to know

Riyadh said the strikes targeted a shipment allegedly linked to the UAE and described the move as necessary to protect Saudi national security.

• Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's Mukalla port, accusing UAE of arming separatists
• UAE denied sending weapons, called the strike a shock, and will withdraw forces
• Tensions rise as UAE-backed STC expands in southern Yemen, deepening Gulf rift

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A rare rift has opened up between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after Saudi forces bombed Yemen’s port city of Mukalla, accusing Abu Dhabi of shipping weapons to separatist forces. The UAE has flatly denied the charge, called the strike a shock, and announced it will withdraw its remaining forces, a move that escalates tensions between two long-time Gulf allies.

Top developments

• Saudi Arabia launches airstrikes on Mukalla port

Riyadh said it carried out “limited” strikes on Yemen’s Mukalla port, alleging it was targeting a weapons shipment sent from the UAE to support separatist forces inside Yemen. Saudi officials described the UAE’s actions as a threat to national security.

• UAE rejects allegations, says shipment carried no weapons Abu Dhabi said the shipment did not include weapons and that the vehicles unloaded at Mukalla were intended for UAE forces operating in Yemen, following coordination with the Saudi-led coalition. The UAE foreign ministry said it was “surprised” by the bombing.
• Cracks widen over Yemen’s separatist conflict

The episode highlights growing tensions over the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group seeking an independent southern Yemen, which Saudi-backed authorities accuse of rebelling against state authority.

• STC advances deepen fault lines

UAE-aligned STC forces have recently expanded their control across parts of southern Yemen, including oil-rich provinces such as Hadramout. Saudi-backed factions say the advances undermine efforts to confront the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in northern Yemen.

• UAE announces troop withdrawal

Following the Mukalla strikes, the UAE said it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, citing safety and the effectiveness of its counterterrorism missions. The decision was taken “of its own volition,” Bloomberg reported.

• Calls for Emirati exit intensify inside Yemen

Saudi-backed groups in Yemen demanded the withdrawal of all UAE forces within 24 hours, further raising the stakes amid rapidly deteriorating conditions.

• US urges restraint

The United States, a key partner to both Gulf states, expressed concern. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged restraint and diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

What happened in Mukalla: Explained

• A shipment from the UAE’s Fujairah port arrived at Mukalla.
• Saudi Arabia alleged the cargo contained weapons for the STC and launched airstrikes soon after.
• The UAE denied the claim, saying the shipment contained vehicles for its own forces.
• The strikes followed weeks of rising tension after STC advances in southern Yemen.
• The clash has reinforced STC positions on the ground, potentially strengthening its hand in any future peace talks.