Saudi-UAE tension escalates: Riyadh strikes Mukalla port

WISE NEWS PRESS / RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — DEC. 31, 2025

Saudi Arabia has intensified its military stance in Yemen by striking the strategic port of Mukalla and issuing a 24-hour ultimatum for United Arab Emirates (UAE) forces to withdraw.

The Saudi-led coalition conducted the airstrike targeting arms shipments allegedly destined for UAE-backed separatist groups, known as the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Following the strike, Riyadh officially demanded that Abu Dhabi cease its military activities in the region within 24 hours. In response, the UAE announced it has formally ended the mission of its last counter-terrorism units remaining in Yemen, signaling a historic rift between the two former Gulf allies.

Strategic Strike on Arms Shipments at Mukalla Port

A military statement released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed that coalition air forces targeted vessels arriving from the port of Fujirah, located on the UAE’s eastern coast. The operation reportedly destroyed armored vehicles and weaponry that Riyadh deemed a direct threat to regional stability. Journalists and analysts suggest this move is a clear signal that Saudi Arabia will not tolerate the effective partitioning of southern Yemen under the influence of Abu Dhabi.

From Proxy Competition to Direct Confrontation

The escalation marks a significant shift from a decade-old alliance to a potential direct conflict. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE were primary partners in the 2015 coalition against Houthi rebels, their interests have diverged sharply over the control of southern Yemen. Experts warn that the 24-hour ultimatum could lead to direct strikes on UAE-funded mercenary units if they do not comply. This transition from a proxy struggle to a state-level military confrontation threatens to destabilize the broader Middle East.

National Security Declared a "Red Line" by Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country’s national security is a "red line" and that all necessary measures will be taken to neutralize threats near its southern borders. While Riyadh emphasized that dialogue remains the only viable path for resolving southern Yemen's issues, it expressed "deep regret and concern" over the UAE’s deployment of STC forces in the Hadramawt and Mahra provinces. The sudden collapse of relations between the two leaders, who collaborated on regional shifts for years, indicates a new and volatile era for Gulf diplomacy.

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