Tensions between key Gulf allies have intensified after the United Arab Emirates reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s security while firmly rejecting accusations that it supports southern separatists in Yemen. The statement came after the Saudi-led coalition carried out strikes on the port city of Mukalla, targeting what it described as foreign military support to the Southern Transitional Council.
The escalation took a sharper turn when Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen&rsquo;s Presidential Leadership Council, announced the cancellation of a joint defence agreement with the UAE. Al-Alimi ordered UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours and declared an air, land and sea blockade on all ports and crossings for 72 hours, signalling a dramatic shift in relations.
Saudi Arabia reacted strongly to the developments. The Saudi Foreign Ministry warned that the steps taken by the &ldquo;brotherly state&rdquo; of the UAE were &ldquo;extremely dangerous,&rdquo; underlining the seriousness with which Riyadh views the unfolding situation.
As political signals sharpened, voices from eastern Yemen rallied behind Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s role. The Hadramout Grand Conference, representing independent groups in eastern Yemen, said it appreciated the Saudi-led coalition&rsquo;s efforts to &ldquo;establish security and stability.&rdquo; In a statement, it stressed that &ldquo;any security or military arrangements must be exclusively carried out through legitimate state institutions and in coordination with the leadership of the Arab coalition,&rdquo; adding that the security of Hadramout and al-Mahra remained a &ldquo;red line.&rdquo;
Support for decisive action also came from armed groups aligned with Yemen&rsquo;s internationally recognised government. The Supreme Council of Popular Resistance said its members welcomed the declaration of emergency measures and moves against the UAE. &ldquo;We consider the rebellion of the Southern Transitional Council and its supporters as an imminent danger to Yemen and its neighbours, especially Saudi Arabia,&rdquo; the group said.
The focus on Yemen&rsquo;s east reflects more than local dynamics. Hadramout holds major oil and gas resources and includes a vital border crossing with Saudi Arabia, making it central to trade and border security. Al-Mahra&rsquo;s proximity to both Saudi Arabia and Oman gives it control over ports and movement routes that directly affect regional stability. Any instability in these regions, analysts note, quickly becomes a cross-border issue with implications for trade routes and economic security.
Recent developments point to a coordinated sequence rather than an isolated escalation. An official request from Yemen&rsquo;s recognised leadership was followed by military action from the Saudi-led coalition and then a political message from Saudi Arabia defining the scope and limits of movement. Together, these steps appear aimed at restraining an ally&rsquo;s eastward expansion while preventing Iran-backed Houthis from exploiting divisions within the anti-Houthi camp.
With alliances under strain and eastern Yemen emerging as a new flashpoint, the crisis has moved beyond a local power struggle into a broader regional test of influence, legitimacy and security.

UAE–Saudi Rift Widens as Yemen Tensions Escalate

Al-Alimi orders UAE exit as Saudi warns of risks and eastern factions back Riyadh

UAE–Saudi Rift Widens as Yemen Tensions Escalate

Al-Alimi orders UAE exit as Saudi warns of risks and eastern factions back Riyadh

December 31, 2025 | 24:46 IST