ADEN — Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi on Tuesday demanded the withdrawal of UAE forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, announcing a series of escalatory measures amid rising tensions with the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
al-Alimi said Yemen “cannot withstand the opening of new fronts of attrition,” stressing that the country’s strength comes from the support of the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
He accused the STC of refusing repeated calls to resolve disputes through dialogue and decisions within constitutional institutions, warning against exploiting the southern issue to undermine state authority.
Al-Alimi described the arrival of two ships carrying weapons from the UAE port of Fujairah to the STC as “a dangerous escalatory step,” referring to shipments that entered the port of Mukalla without coalition authorization.
He announced the cancellation of Yemen’s joint defense agreement with the UAE, saying Abu Dhabi’s role “has become directed against the Yemeni people,” and reiterated the demand for all Emirati forces to leave Yemeni territory within 24 hours.
The Yemeni leader also declared a 72-hour air, land and sea blockade at all entry points into Yemen, excluding coalition operations, and announced a 90-day state of emergency that could be extended.
Al-Alimi said Homeland Shield Forces would be deployed to assume control of military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, adding that governors in both governorates had been granted full authority to manage local affairs.
“The blood of Yemenis is a red line that cannot be crossed,” he said, adding that additional measures aimed at protecting civilians would be announced later.
His remarks followed a limited airstrike by the Arab Coalition targeting weapons and combat vehicles unloaded at Mukalla port.
The coalition said the shipment originated from Fujairah and violated de-escalation efforts and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
The coalition confirmed that the strike caused no human casualties, collateral damage, or harm to port infrastructure or facilities. — Agencies
