Updates: UAE says troops to leave Yemen as Saudi Arabia backs withdrawal

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You can read our news story on today’s events in Yemen here.

This live page will close soon. But, before we go, here’s a recap of today’s major developments:

• The Saudi Arabian-led coalition in Yemen has targeted what it said were shipments of weapons and combat vehicles in Yemen, which were unloaded from vessels coming from the UAE and bound for forces connected to Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council.
• The leader of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council has cancelled a security pact with the UAE, urging UAE forces to leave the country within 24 hours. Riyadh backed the call.
• The UAE rejected the accusations but announced the withdrawal of its remaining forces in Yemen after the ultimatum.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with both sides’ leadership after the escalating tensions.

As we reported earlier, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The US State Department’s spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, confirmed the call and said the two officials discussed the “situation in Yemen and broader issues affecting Middle Eastern security and stability”.

As we reported earlier, the coalition’s military spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, made a series of posts on X detailing the group’s position on the UAE’s claims regarding military support to the Southern Transitional Council and what transpired before the strikes.

Here is a summary of the points made by al-Maliki in his five X posts:

• The coalition documented the arrival and unloading process of two ships from the UAE, after which “high-level” officials in the UAE were notified that they must not allow the shipment to leave the port of Mukalla.
• While the two ships entered, the port was closed, and all local employees were evacuated. The coalition said the ships were carrying “more than 80 vehicles, in addition to a number of containers loaded with weapons and ammunition”.
• The coalition maintains that despite the warning, and without informing Saudi Arabia, the Emiratis “proceeded to transfer the vehicles and containers to the al-Rayan base, where no more than 10 additional Emirati personnel are present”.
• The Emiratis were informed that the shipment must be returned to the port, but they only returned the vehicles. The weapons stayed at the base. The coalition said it had information that such weapons would be transported and distributed to locations in Yemen’s Hadramout.
• A “limited military operation” was carried out on the port, and it is the coalition’s assertion that the containers with weapons and ammunition are still at the al-Rayan base.

The UAE’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations, according to the state news agency, WAM.

Al Nahyan and Rubio reviewed several issues, including the latest developments in Yemen, with the Emirati official emphasising Abu Dhabi’s commitment to working closely with the US and establishing peace across the region.

Egypt said it has full confidence in “the keenness of both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to handle the current developments in Yemen with wisdom”, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The ministry said it trusts that Saudi Arabia and the UAE will deal with the situation “in a spirit of brotherhood, unity and shared Arab destiny during this sensitive phase for Yemen and the region”.

Cairo added it would continue its ongoing dialogue with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemeni parties, and other regional and international stakeholders to help reduce tensions and pave the way for a political settlement that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, prosperity and stability.

The newly opened X account belonging to the spokesperson for the Joint Forces Command, representing Saudi Arabia’s coalition in Yemen, says that the two ships that entered the port of Maukalla, the incident which sparked the air strikes, did so in contravention of protocol.

The ships were in “violation of the procedures followed in such cases, and without an entry permit from the Yemeni government or the Coalition Command”, the spokesperson said.

“They also turned off the tracking and identification device before entering Yemeni territorial waters”, he continued.

This runs counter to the UAE’s claims, which we reported on earlier, that the delivery was coordinated closely with Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait has expressed its “steadfast support for the legitimate Yemeni government” and emphasised the “necessity” of preserving the country’s “unity and the integrity of its territories”.

“Protecting the interests of the sisterly Yemeni people, in a manner that ensures the realisation of its aspirations for security, stability, and development,” a statement from Kuwait’s foreign ministry posted on X read.

In the statement, Kuwait commended Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their ” keenness to support regional stability, enhance the principles of good neighbourliness, and adhere to the values and shared principles” in the charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

“The State of Kuwait affirms its continued support for all regional and international efforts aimed at consolidating dialogue and adopting diplomatic solutions, considering them the optimal path to achieving security and stability, and enhancing opportunities for peace in the region,” it added.

Neil Quilliam, associate fellow at think tank Chatham House, says relations between the Saudi and the UAE have never been easy.

“But the friction does appear to be at its most intense for years,” he told the Reuters news agency.

“Both countries like to play down friction in the relationship and argue that competition amongst states is a normal state of affairs,” said Quilliam.

“But the intensity of the competition has certainly sharpened in the past year and is playing out in multiple theatres.”

Qatar has affirmed its “full support for the legitimate Yemeni government” as the UAE says it is pulling its “counterterrorism” forces out of Yemen following a Saudi Arabia-backed call for Abu Dhabi’s forces to leave the country within 24 hours.

In a statement posted on X, Qatar’s foreign ministry emphasised the importance of “preserving Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, and safeguarding the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the security of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is an integral part of the security of the State of Qatar,” the statement read.

“The Ministry appreciates the statements issued by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the sisterly United Arab Emirates, which reflect a commitment to prioritising the interests of the region, strengthening the principles of good neighbourliness, and adhering to the foundations and principles upon which the Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council is based,” it added.

بيان | قطر تتابع ببالغ الاهتمام الأحداث الجارية في اليمن#الخارجية_القطرية pic.twitter.com/ZA7edAcdOP

— الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) December 30, 2025

Yemen’s presidential council, backed by Saudi Arabia, says Emirati-backed forces must leave Yemen within 24 hours.

It follows a Saudi air strike on Mukalla port after two ships unloaded weapons for southern separatists.

Analysts are warning that violence in Yemen could escalate.

Watch our report below:

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition (Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen) has launched an X account for its official spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki.

The coalition leadership outlined that this new account will be the official and approved channel for publishing official statements, clarifications, and the coalition’s ongoing efforts.

The spokesperson launched the account by writing “In the name of God and with God’s blessing”, in his first post.

بسم الله وعلى بركة الله

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) December 30, 2025

Footage shared on Facebook and verified by Al Jazeera shows parts of the Yemeni port burning after the Saudi-led coalition strikes.

In addition, these photos below show some of the damage to the port. These photos have also been verified by Al Jazeera.

Translation: Breaking – Part of the damage to houses and places adjacent to the port of Mukalla was caused by the Saudi aggression bombing of Mukalla port

Badr Basalma, adviser to al-Alimi, tells Al Jazeera that the Southern Transitional Council “has committed many violations and the most recent was this ship that came from the UAE in support of the STC”.

“This ship came, without anyone’s knowledge, … and came from the UAE,” he said and, referring to the UAE statement disavowing military support for the STC, added: “So when we talk about ‘not bringing the UAE into this issue’ – but at the same time, this ship came from Fujairah in the UAE.”

Basalma also accused the UAE of wanting control of the militias that make up the STC in coordination with Israel.

“They [the UAE] want the STC to control the whole of southern Yemen, control over Bab al-Mandeb Strait … so as to allow Israel and the UAE authorities to play a large part in controlling seaports and the sea routes around the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean,” he charged.

“That is the role created for the STC, and so it has been promised that it will be recognised so that it carries out this militia role in controlling the ports and threatening wider Gulf security.”

Saudi Arabia’s strikes on the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen aimed to thwart what Riyadh calls the UAE’s military support for the STC. The Emirates have, in turn, disavowed this support.