The decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw its forces from Yemen after a Saudi-led airstrike may lead to easing tensions between the two former gulf allies. However, one thing is certain, it has revealed deep-seated mistrust between the two leading oil powers.
The Saudi strike on the southern port city of Mukalla early Tuesday prompted demands for the departure of all Emirati troops and a firm warning from Riyadh that its national security was non-negotiable. Abu Dhabi said it was taken aback by the attack and soon after announced it would pull out its remaining personnel to ensure their safety.
The United Arab Emirates says it will withdraw its remaining forces in Yemen after facing an ultimatum to do so by forces allied against Houthi rebels. https://t.co/CXBsii24Gq
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 30, 2025
The standoff follows the unexpected advance in early December of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, whose forces have since seized wide areas of southern Yemen, including parts of the strategically vital Hadramout province.
التحالف:
– رصدنا دخول سفينتين قادمتين من ميناء الفجيرة بالإمارات إلى ميناء المكلا
– السفينتان القادمتان من الفجيرة بالإمارات لم تحصل على تصاريح من التحالف– السفينتان عطلتا أنظمة التتبع الخاصة بهما وأنزلت أسلحة وعربات قتالية
– الأسلحة والمعدات العسكرية القادمة من الفجيرة لدعم… pic.twitter.com/BkZSvarcAs
— العربية عاجل (@AlArabiya_Brk) December 30, 2025
Once a key partner in the Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, the STC’s expansion has pushed it close to Saudi Arabia’s border. This shift has highlighted long-standing disagreements between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over influence, strategy, and Yemen’s fractured civil war, reigniting rivalries that have simmered for years.
A Saudi strike on Mukalla sparked a sharp rift, with Riyadh demanding Emirati withdrawal and the UAE announcing its troop pullout.
Meanwhile, according to Yemen’s state news agency, Yemen has cancelled its defense agreement with the UAE, accusing the United Arab Emirates of fueling instability in the country by supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
Yemen also announced the termination of the defense pact with the UAE and ordered Emirati forces to leave the country within 24 hours. Following this, the United Arab Emirates announced the end of its military mission in Yemen.
Who controls what in Yemen
After these developments, power in Yemen has effectively been divided into three parts:
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Ansar Allah (Houthi rebels)
This is the rebel group commonly known as the Houthis. The group controls northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the western coastal belt, and is considered to be aligned with Iran.
After the wave of uprisings across Arab countries in 2011 led President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down, the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa. Since the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s military intervention in 2015, fighting has continued between the rebels and the coalition, which includes both Saudi- and UAE-backed factions.
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Presidential Leadership Council (PLC)
This is the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government. In April 2022, an eight-member Presidential Leadership Council was formed through Saudi efforts to unite all anti-Houthi factions on one platform.
STC leader Aidrous al-Zubaidi was appointed vice president of the council. Although this alliance functioned as Yemen’s official government, it collapsed in December 2025 due to internal disagreements, putting the PLC and STC in direct confrontation.
In recent days, STC advances have caused key southern areas to slip out of the hands of Saudi-backed forces, leaving the Presidential Council’s influence limited to only a few regions.
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Southern Transitional Council (STC)
This is a separatist group that now controls Yemen’s southern regions. It seeks to restore the independent southern Yemeni state that existed before 1990, known as the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen. The UAE is accused of backing this group.
Earlier this month, following major military operations, the STC seized most of eight southern areas of Yemen, including Aden, Hadramout, and Mahra, capturing several key ports and oil reserves.
Although the STC has not carried out any direct attacks on Saudi Arabia so far, Riyadh views its recent advances into areas previously under the Presidential Leadership Council as a threat.
In the past, Houthi rebels have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia, including missile and drone strikes on Saudi cities and oil installations.
