Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen war partner, the United Arab Emirates, of undertaking highly dangerous moves within Yemen, which has emerged as one of the most severe public spats between the two Gulf states since the onset of the Yemen war over a decade ago.
The allegations occurred while Saudi-led forces were conducting what the Saudi government termed “limited airstrikes” early Tuesday against the Yemen port of Mukalla following allegations that two Emirate-connected vessels had offshore Yemen ported weapons and combat units for separatists working in the Southern part of the nation.
In a strongly-worded press release, it was warned by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry that: “The claimed acts of UAE’s aggression threaten the national security of our country,” in a move which underlines a rift growing between two of the Middle East’s closest allies.
The UAE has quickly dismissing the allegations with surprise at the Saudi attacks and claiming that the vehicles were meant for Emirati forces battling in Yemen and not for separatist militias. The government in Abu Dhabi stated that they had previously agreed with the Saudi-led military coalition that they should receive their shipment.
UAE Statement on Ongoing Developments in Yemenhttps://t.co/UVDyX2yKDk pic.twitter.com/mXYfDP9Y9W
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) December 30, 2025
“The UAE categorically rejects any attempt to implicate it in tensions between Yemeni parties,” the Emirati Foreign Ministry said, condemning allegations that it pressured or directed Yemeni forces to carry out operations that could threaten Saudi territory.
What triggered Saudi Arabia’s accusations against the UAE?
The Saudi press statement came shortly after a statement by Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Saudi-backed Yemen Presidential Leadership Council, in which he blamed the UAE for “directing armed groups to rebel against the state” and for attempting to “escalate the war.”
Al-Alimi’s remarks expressed the rising frustration of the Iran-backed Houla-aligned forces in the country who believe the UAE has derailed the unity of the country in the face of the Houthi movement in the north.
The conflict is centered on the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a heavily-armed political movement advocating for the creation of a state within the southern regions of Yemen. Recently, a large military operation was carried out by the militia group affiliated with the STC, resulting in the capture of large provinces in the oil-rich province of Hadramout. The incident resulted in the STC gaining control of eight provinces, reigniting talks of secession.
Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized government of Yemen blamed the STC for weakening the fragile line of defense against the Houthis by fracturing it and hampering its capacities in fighting the dominance of the Houthis over the north of the country.
What strategic interests do Riyadh and Abu Dhabi pursue in Yemen?
Saudi Arabia and the UAE entered the war in Yemen together in 2015, they seem to be moving apart each year. The primary purpose of the government of Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war is to ensure that no Iranian-backed force emerges in the vicinity of the kingdom and to ensure the territorial integrity of the friendly government in Yemen.
Contrary to the UAE, there has been more focus on ensuring that ports and trade routes, particularly within the Gulfs of Aden and Red Sea, become secured. This is partly because Abu Dhabi has managed to capitalize on their ties with militias and secessionists, including STC, whom they perceive as useful allies when it comes to protecting maritime trade routes from Islamist militants.
“There have been these rival priorities that have led to some tension between the two countries. But until now, both have managed to avoid disputes of this kind from going public,” said Hisham al-Omeish of the Hisham Ali/Yemen Peace Project. The strikes in the port city of Mukalla represent a moment when these “private” disputes have moved from behind closed doors to “open conflict” because of Saudi Arabia’s fear of
Nevertheless, accusations have been levelled at the UAE that it forced the STC to conduct the operation close to the boundary between the two countries, an accusation that the UAE has denied. In kind, the Saudi-backed factions in Yemen have demanded that all UAE forces withdraw within 24 hours, as well as an end to the joint defense agreement between the STC and the UAE.
How deep are the roots of rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
It is not, however, the first incident between the two Gulf countries, and it reflects a larger competition between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on the strategic level that has escalated over the years. While both are historically allies and large partners of the US with trillions of dollars of total international assets, they have increasingly found themselves on different sides of many issues.
However, their relationship has endured through previous crises, including the blockade of Qatar together with Bahrain and Egypt from 2017 until 2021. The UAE has pulled out the majority of its troops from Yemen in 2019; however, the UAE still maintains its influence through the support of the local authority forces in the region. The Saudi leadership considered the move by the UAE as a consequence of walking out of the initial plan of the coalition.
