Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Joint Forces Command of the Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen has issued a clarification rejecting claims made by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, detailing what it described as serious violations related to the entry of two vessels into Al-Mukalla port without authorization.

Coalition spokesperson Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the two ships entered Yemeni territorial waters without obtaining the required permits from Yemen’s internationally recognized government or the coalition command, in breach of established procedures.

He said the vessels deliberately disabled their tracking and identification systems before entering Yemeni waters, a clear violation of maritime regulations and international navigation standards.

According to Al-Maliki, the ships arrived at Al-Mukalla while the port was closed and all local employees had been evacuated.

The vessels were carrying more than 80 military vehicles, along with containers loaded with weapons and ammunition.

The coalition said the arrival and unloading process was fully documented and that senior Emirati officials were informed of the need to prevent the military cargo from leaving the port to avoid its transfer to conflict zones threatening regional security and stability.

However, Al-Maliki said the Emirati side, without notifying Saudi authorities, moved the vehicles and containers to Al-Rayyan Air Base, where a limited number of Emirati personnel and other forces involved in the escalation are present.

The coalition described the move as an unacceptable escalation and a violation of the principles governing the alliance.

He said the coalition formally demanded the return of the vehicles to Al-Mukalla port, a request that was carried out, while the weapons containers remained at Al-Rayyan Air Base.

The spokesperson added that confirmed intelligence indicated plans to distribute the remaining weapons containers to multiple locations across the Hadramout valley and desert, a development that would have significantly increased tensions.

As a result, the coalition carried out limited military action early Tuesday to prevent further escalation and protect civilians and public property.

Al-Maliki stressed that the operation was conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law and the coalition’s rules of engagement, confirming that no human casualties, infrastructure damage, or collateral damage occurred.

He said the remaining weapons containers remain under control at Al-Rayyan Air Base.