Saudi Arabia Reveals Yemen Bombing Details and UAE Set to Withdraw

​The situation in Yemen has taken a sharp and unexpected turn as the final days of 2025 unfold. On December 30, Saudi Arabia conducted a high-stakes military operation in the southern port city of Mukalla. This wasn't just another strike in a long-standing conflict; it was a move directed at a shipment of weapons allegedly arriving from the United Arab Emirates. Shortly after the flames settled at the port, the UAE announced its decision to withdraw its remaining military forces from the country. This sequence of events marks a massive shift in the relationship between these two powerful neighbors and long-time allies.

​For years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE worked together in a coalition to support the internationally recognized government of Yemen against Houthi rebels. However, this recent bombing and the subsequent withdrawal show that the cracks in their partnership have finally split wide open. The world is now watching closely to see if this is the beginning of a new era for Yemen or simply a new chapter of chaos.

​The Details of the Mukalla Port Bombing

​The Saudi military provided specific details about the operation through the state-run Saudi Press Agency. According to their reports, the airstrikes were a "limited military operation" designed to destroy a large shipment of unauthorized weapons and combat vehicles. These items had reportedly arrived at Mukalla’s port from Fujairah, a major port in the UAE. 

Saudi surveillance aircraft captured footage of the vessels disabling their tracking systems as they approached the Yemeni coast. Once the ships docked, they began unloading armored vehicles and heavy weaponry. Saudi officials stated that these weapons were intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that has recently seized control of much of the resource-rich Hadramout region. For Riyadh, this shipment represented an "imminent threat" to regional stability, prompting them to take direct action against the cargo of their own coalition partner.

​Why the UAE Is Withdrawing Now

​The fallout from the bombing was immediate. Within hours of the Saudi strikes, the UAE Ministry of Defence announced that it would terminate the mission of its remaining counter-terrorism personnel in Yemen. While the UAE attempted to frame this move as a decision made "of its own volition" to ensure the safety of its troops, the timing suggests otherwise.

​Saudi Arabia had reportedly issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum for UAE forces to leave. The UAE has faced increasing pressure as its support for southern separatists directly clashed with Saudi Arabia's goal of maintaining a unified Yemeni government. By withdrawing its official military presence, Abu Dhabi may be trying to avoid a direct military confrontation with Riyadh while still maintaining influence through the local groups it has trained and funded over the last decade.

​The Growing Rift Between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi

​To understand why this is happening, we have to look at the different visions these two nations have for Yemen. Saudi Arabia wants a stable, unified country on its southern border that is not controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis. On the other hand, the UAE has focused more on the southern coast and the strategic shipping lanes. They have backed the STC, which wants to restore South Yemen as an independent nation.

​This difference in strategy has turned from a quiet disagreement into a public feud. Beyond Yemen, the two countries are also competing for economic dominance in the Middle East. From oil production policies in OPEC to attracting global businesses, the friendly rivalry between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has become much more intense. The bombing at Mukalla is the most visible sign yet that they are no longer on the same page.

​The Impact on the Ground in Yemen

​While the regional powers play their high-stakes game of chess, the people of Yemen remain the ones paying the highest price. Mukalla is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid and commercial goods. Any disruption to the port risks worsening what is already one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.

​The withdrawal of UAE forces also leaves a massive power vacuum in the south. If the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces and the UAE-backed STC begin fighting each other for control of the territory the UAE is leaving behind, a "war within a war" could break out. This would be a dream come true for the Houthi rebels in the north, who could watch their enemies weaken each other without firing a single shot.

​International Reactions and Oil Markets

​The international community has reacted with deep concern. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already held emergency calls with both Saudi and Emirati leaders, urging "restraint and wisdom." The United Nations has also warned that any escalation at the ports could cut off supply chains for food and medicine that millions of Yemenis rely on for survival.

​Even the global economy is feeling the ripples. As both nations are heavyweights in OPEC, investors worry that their political spat will spill over into oil production decisions. If they cannot agree on how much oil to pump, we could see significant swings in gas prices at the start of 2026. Stability in the Middle East is tied to stability in the markets, and right now, both are looking very shaky.

​What Lies Ahead for 2026

​As we move into the new year, the central question is whether a total break between Saudi Arabia and the UAE can be avoided. The 72-hour blockade declared by the Saudi-aligned Yemeni government suggests that the pressure will not let up anytime soon.

​For the Aravallis in India, which we discussed earlier, the threat was fragmentation of the land. In Yemen, the threat is the fragmentation of a nation. If the southern separatists continue their push for independence with UAE support—even if that support is now "unofficial"—Yemen may never be whole again. The next few weeks will tell us if this withdrawal leads to a peaceful exit or a more violent phase of the conflict.