Saudi-Backed Forces Strike UAE Proxies as Yemen Coalition Fractures

WISE NEWS PRESS / LONDON, UK — JAN. 2, 2026

Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has launched a military offensive against United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed separatist forces in the country's south, marking a significant escalation in the fracturing of the anti-Houthi coalition.

Following the announcement of the operation, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) reported that a Saudi airstrike targeted one of their camps, killing seven fighters. The clashes highlight a widening rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have spent the last decade as allies fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement but now support rival factions within the anti-Houthi bloc.

Escalation in Hadramout

The latest round of violence was precipitated by an announcement from the Saudi-backed governor of Hadramout province, Salem Ahmed Said el-Kunbaşi. On Friday, the government stated that el-Kunbaşi had been granted "full military, security, and administrative authority to restore security and order."

In a televised address, the governor insisted, "This is not a declaration of war," characterizing the move as an effort to prevent Hadramout from sliding into chaos and to stop military camps from being used to threaten security. However, STC spokesman Mohammed al-Naqib responded immediately, declaring their forces were on high alert across the region and ready to respond "forcefully."

The STC, which seeks independence for southern Yemen, had seized large swathes of Hadramout and Mahra provinces last month, triggering alarm in Riyadh.

Coalition infighting intensifies

The violence on the ground follows days of intense diplomatic and military friction between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. On Dec. 30, the Saudi-led coalition conducted an airstrike on a weapons shipment at the port of Mukalla, alleging the arms were intended for STC forces.

Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki described the shipment as an "imminent danger." Port officials confirmed to AFP that a bomb struck a walled area of the port shortly after an evacuation warning was issued.

The UAE Foreign Ministry expressed "deep regret" over the Saudi accusations, denying the shipment contained illicit weapons and stating the vehicles were for their own counter-terrorism personnel.

UAE announces withdrawal

Amidst the rising tensions, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday afternoon that it is terminating the presence of its remaining armed forces in Yemen.

The statement noted that "remaining counter-terrorism personnel have been terminated voluntarily," citing recent developments and safety concerns. This decision came shortly after Yemen’s presidential council—backed by Saudi pressure—demanded the departure of UAE forces within 24 hours.

Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen's presidential council, declared a 90-day state of emergency, citing the need to combat "internal unrest led by rebel military elements taking instructions from the UAE." Conversely, the STC leadership rejected the ultimatum for the UAE's withdrawal as unilateral and lacking legal basis, vowing that the Emirates would remain a "main partner" in the fight against Houthi rebels.

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