Despite the warning, the council and its allies issued a statement supporting the UAE’s presence, even as others allied with Saudi Arabia demanded Emirati forces withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours. Damaged military vehicles lie at a port following an airstrike by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition in Mukalla, Yemen, yesterday. “The ships’ crew had the disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces,” the statement said. Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces later declared a state of emergency, ending its cooperation with the UAE and ordering all Emirati forces within its territory to evacuate within 24 hours. It issued a 72-hour ban on all border crossings in territory they hold, as well as entries to airports and seaports, except those allowed by Saudi Arabia.

Source: Taipei Times December 30, 2025 16:03 UTC