Saudi Arabia has ordered the complete withdrawal of United Arab Emirates forces from Yemen within 24 hours, declaring its national security a “red line” following a military strike on what it described as unauthorised UAE-linked weapons shipments. The demand, issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, followed a “limited military operation” by coalition aircraft to destroy equipment offloaded at the port of Al-Mukalla. The diplomatic rupture intensified as the UAE Ministry of Defence announced later on Tuesday the immediate termination of its remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs “categorically” rejected these claims, stating the shipment contained no weapons and the vehicles were intended for UAE forces, not Yemeni parties. The Saudi Ministry expressed hope that the “principles of brotherhood” within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would prevail to preserve bilateral relations.

Source: Daily News Egypt December 30, 2025 16:55 UTC