The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it has voluntarily concluded the mission of its counterterrorism units in Yemen, citing a comprehensive security assessment and recent developments on the ground.
In a statement carried by state news agency WAM and later shared on X in Arabic, the UAE Ministry of Defence said it decided after reviewing potential risks to the safety and effectiveness of its operations. The ministry stressed that its presence in Yemen had remained limited to specialised counterterrorism personnel working in coordination with international partners.
The announcement followed a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla. The coalition said the strike targeted foreign military support linked to UAE-backed southern separatists. Shortly after, Saudi Arabia publicly backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
بيان صادر عن وزارة الدفاع في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة
بالإشارة إلى البيان الصادر عن وزارة الخارجية في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة اليوم الثلاثاء الموافق 30/12/2025 حول الأحداث الجارية في الجمهورية اليمنية، وما تضمنه من حقائق بشأن تواجد القوات المسلحة الإماراتية في اليمن… pic.twitter.com/DmgeUV7bpT
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) December 30, 2025The UAE joined the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in 2015. In 2019, it began drawing down its troops but continued to support the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
Political and military dynamics later shifted when the Southern Transitional Council pushed for self-rule in southern Yemen. Earlier this month, STC forces launched a sudden offensive against Saudi-backed government troops, breaking years of stalemate and claiming control over large parts of the south.
Read: Saudi-Led Coalition Carries Out Limited Airstrike on Mukalla Port in Yemen
Saudi Arabia warned the STC against further military action in the eastern province of Hadramout and called for a withdrawal. The STC rejected that demand.
Amid the escalating situation, Marco Rubio spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss Yemen’s security situation and broader regional stability, according to the US State Department.
The UAE said its decision reflects a focus on risk management and operational effectiveness amid ongoing regional tensions that continue to reshape the conflict landscape in Yemen.
