Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi has announced the termination of a joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ordering all Emirati military forces stationed in Yemen to leave the country within 24 hours.
According to Arab media reports, Rashad Al-Alimi stated that Yemen would also impose a complete air, land, and sea blockade across all ports and border crossings for 72 hours.
The decision comes amid rising tensions following a limited air operation conducted by the Saudi-led military coalition, which reportedly targeted Mukalla Port.
The Saudi-led coalition said the airstrike was aimed at stopping foreign military assistance allegedly provided to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group operating in southern Yemen.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed serious concern over the developments. In an official statement, the ministry warned that the actions taken by the United Arab Emirates were extremely dangerous and could pose serious threats to regional stability.
The situation has further heightened tensions within the region, raising fears of a broader escalation in the ongoing Yemen conflict.