The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its withdrawal of all counterterrorism units from Yemen following a Saudi-led coalition air strike on a port in southern Yemen, according to a statement released by the UAE government on December 30, 2025. The withdrawal comes amid escalating tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, key partners in the coalition fighting against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Riyadh has accused the UAE of providing weapons and military vehicles to support Yemen's separatist movement, an allegation Abu Dhabi vehemently denies. The Saudi-led coalition's air strike targeted a port allegedly used by the UAE to deliver these supplies, further exacerbating the rift between the two nations. The specific location of the port was not disclosed in the initial reports.

The conflict in Yemen, ongoing for nearly a decade, has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government after it was ousted by the Houthis, who are believed to be backed by Iran. The UAE has been a significant contributor to the coalition's military efforts, particularly in the southern regions of Yemen.

The UAE's involvement in Yemen has been multifaceted, including training and equipping local forces, conducting counterterrorism operations against groups like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group seeking independence for southern Yemen. This support for the STC has been a point of contention with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which views the separatists as a threat to Yemen's unity.

Analysts suggest the withdrawal reflects a shift in the UAE's strategic priorities in the region. "The UAE is likely reassessing its long-term commitments in Yemen, focusing on stabilizing its own security interests rather than engaging in protracted conflicts," said Dr. Aisha Al-Thani, a Middle East security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, in a statement to the Associated Press.

The Saudi government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the UAE's withdrawal. However, sources within the Saudi government, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the potential impact on the coalition's ability to combat the Houthis and maintain stability in southern Yemen. The future of the Saudi-led coalition's operations in Yemen remains uncertain following the UAE's decision. Further developments are expected in the coming weeks as both Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government assess the implications of the withdrawal and adjust their strategies accordingly.