Yemen asks UAE to withdraw its troops amid continued conflict

JAKARTA - The Yemeni government expressed hope that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would be completely withdrawn from the country's southern region, amid the still limited military presence of Abu Dhabi in a number of areas.

Deputy Minister of Information of Yemen Mohammed Qizan told the Qatari-based Al Jazeera channel that the UAE still maintains its military presence at Riyan Airport in Mukalla, Al-Dhabba Port, Socotra Island, and Mayun Island.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, December 31, Qizan said the presence of the UAE military was under the pretext of fighting terrorism, although the Yemeni government had never made such a request. He stressed that the Yemeni government wanted a real withdrawal, not just a statement to calm public opinion.

The deputy minister said that the Emirati forces stationed in the southern provinces were used to fight against the Yemeni people and political leaders. He even called the deployment of the troops the core of the existing problems.

Furthermore, Qizan reminded of a similar announcement made by the UAE in 2019 regarding the withdrawal of troops, which was then followed by actions that violated Yemen's sovereignty, including bombing the national army in Shabwa Province in 2022.

Qizan also warned that the symbolic withdrawal could be followed by indirect support aimed at triggering instability.

He emphasized that the Yemeni government has the legal right to file a lawsuit with an international court in order to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Regarding conditions on the ground, Qizan said some army units withdrew from their posts in the south, while others surrendered or pledged allegiance to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) under the threat of violence.

He added that the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council had called on all armed forces and security forces to return to barracks and coordinate with local authorities and coalition leaders.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (30/12) announced the end of its military presence in Yemen after the Presidential Leadership Council demanded the withdrawal of UAE forces within 24 hours.

The move came shortly after a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched a "limited" air strike targeting two UAE-linked vessels in Mukalla Port.

The attack comes amid rising tensions since the STC seized the eastern provinces of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra earlier this month after clashes with government forces.