Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port after UAE shipment of weapons for separatists

The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen announced a state of emergency following an air strike led by Saudi Arabia on the southern port city of Mukalla.  

This sharply escalated tensions among rival allies involved in Yemen’s long-running conflict.

The council announced a 72-hour closure of all land and sea border crossings under its control. It also demanded that forces from the UAE leave Yemeni territory within 24 hours and formally cancelled a bilateral security pact with Abu Dhabi.

Reports revealed that the overnight strike targeted a weapons shipment that had arrived from the UAE’s eastern port of Fujairah. It was headed to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, a separatist group operating in southern Yemen.

According to the Saudi press, the Saudi military said the vessels involved had disabled their tracking systems and were unloading a “large quantity” of weapons and vehicles.

The Saudi military described the shipment as an “imminent threat” that could be a threat to peace and stability. They further stated that the strike was carried out at night to minimise civilian casualties. 

The UAE has not yet issued an official response to the allegations or the strike.

This incident stresses the growing friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which have been key players in Yemen since 2015 but now back as rival parties.

 According to analysts, the latest developments could further complicate diplomatic efforts to stabilize Yemen, already devastated by years of war and humanitarian crisis.