UAE Announces End of Its Military Operations in Yemen
Announcement comes amid Saudi demand for Emirati forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours and halt support for the STC
Yemen, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The United Arab Emirates has officially announced the **termination of all remaining military activity in Yemen, stating that the decision was taken “voluntarily” and in coordination with relevant partners.
The announcement was issued Tuesday evening by the UAE Ministry of Defense, amid **sharply escalating tensions between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia within the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.
Saudi Pressure and the 24-Hour Withdrawal Demand
The UAE’s declaration came shortly after the Saudi Council of Ministers publicly expressed hope that the UAE would comply with Yemen’s request for Emirati forces to withdraw within 24 hours, while also calling for an end to Emirati support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The statement marked an open escalation in internal coalition disputes, exposing growing fractures between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi after years of joint military intervention in Yemen.
UAE Frames Withdrawal as a Voluntary Decision
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defense claimed that Emirati military presence in Yemen formally ended in 2019, with any remaining deployment limited to specialized counterterrorism teams operating in coordination with international partners.
The ministry now declares the full termination of all remaining counterterrorism teams, citing a comprehensive strategic review and alignment with what it described as the UAE’s regional security commitments.
The announcement comes as tensions on the ground intensify, including civilian evacuation orders in parts of Hadhramaut and renewed instability linked to coalition infighting and competing proxy forces.
The UAE Ministry of Defense Statement
Official Statement Issued by the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has participated within the Arab Coalition since 2015 in support of legitimacy in Yemen, in support of international efforts to combat terrorist organizations, and to achieve security and stability for brotherly Yemen. The sons of the UAE have made significant sacrifices in pursuit of these objectives.
The UAE Armed Forces ended their military presence in the Republic of Yemen in 2019 after completing the assigned missions within the agreed official frameworks. Any remaining presence was limited to specialized teams operating as part of counterterrorism efforts, in coordination with relevant international partners.
The Ministry of Defense announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen of its own accord, while ensuring the safety of its personnel and in coordination with relevant partners.
This measure comes as part of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase, and in a manner consistent with the commitments of the United Arab Emirates and its role in supporting security and stability in the region. (PW)
The timing of this withdrawal is really telling, especially with the Saudi 24-hour ultimatum in the mix. Framing it as "voluntary" while responding to explicit pressure suggests the coalition's internal fractures run deeper than most reporting captures. The STC angle is particularly messy since they've been the UAE's main proxy force, and cutting support there leaves a serious power vacum in southern Yemen. I spent some time tracking Yemen dynamics last year and the coalition's presented unity always felt brittle, but this is a pretty public rupture. What's interesting is how quickly they pivoted the narrative to counterterrorism completion rahter than admitting strategic disagreement. Probably signals they're hedging for future influence without direct boots on the ground.