ADEN, Yemen — In a dramatic escalation that signals a fracturing of the anti-Houthi coalition, the Yemeni government has officially canceled its joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ordered all Emirati forces to depart Yemeni territory within 24 hours.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was made by Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), during a televised address on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The decision follows allegations of unauthorized arms shipments and increasing friction between sovereign Yemeni interests and UAE-backed regional groups.
Key Developments: The 24-Hour Mandate
The PLC’s decree introduces a sweeping set of emergency measures aimed at consolidating state control and asserting national sovereignty:
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Defense Pact Revoked: The 2022 security and defense cooperation agreement between Yemen and the UAE is officially terminated.
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Withdrawal Deadline: All Emirati military personnel have been given a strict 24-hour window to exit the country.
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State of Emergency: A 90-day national state of emergency has been declared across all territories under PLC control.
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National Lockdown: A 72-hour total ban on all air, land, and sea travel through Yemeni ports and border crossings is currently in effect to facilitate security operations.
The Catalyst: Arms Shipments and Regional Friction
The diplomatic break follows reports from the Saudi-led coalition regarding unauthorized military cargo. On December 27 and 28, two vessels arriving from the UAE reportedly offloaded armored vehicles and weapons at the port of Mukalla without coalition clearance.
These supplies were allegedly intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed group that has recently seized strategic government institutions and oil fields in the Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra provinces. Saudi Arabia responded with “precise” airstrikes on the shipment, labeling the move a “red line” for regional stability.
The UAE Response
In a swift follow-up to the ultimatum, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced through the state-run WAM news agency that it would end its military presence in Yemen. Abu Dhabi described the withdrawal as “voluntary” and “coordinated with partners,” citing a desire to ensure the safety of its personnel following the recent military escalations.
Geopolitical Impact
Industry analysts suggest this rift represents the most significant diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and the UAE regarding the decade-long conflict in Yemen. While both nations remain aligned in their opposition to Houthi rebels, their support for rival local factions has reached a breaking point.
“The unilateral actions by the STC, backed by external support, were pushing the country toward a dangerous critical point,” Chairman al-Alimi stated, justifying the emergency measures as necessary to protect civilian life and national resources like the PetroMasila oil fields.
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