Yemen declares a state of emergency and demands the immediate departure of Emirati forces
In a striking and unexpected development in the Yemeni political and military landscape, the Yemeni government declared a state of emergency, issuing a formal and explicit demand for the withdrawal of Emirati forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours. This announcement represents the culmination of tensions in relations between the legitimate government and Abu Dhabi, a key partner in the Arab coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen.
Background to the crisis and history of relations within the alliance
To understand the implications of this sudden decision, it is necessary to revisit the roots of the military intervention in Yemen, which began in March 2015 under the name "Operation Decisive Storm," led by Saudi Arabia with the active participation of the United Arab Emirates. The stated objective was to restore legitimacy and end the Houthi coup. Despite initial military successes and the liberation of the southern governorates, subsequent years witnessed clear divergences in agendas and visions regarding the administration of the liberated areas, particularly concerning control of ports, airports, and strategic islands such as Socotra and Mayyun.
Key points of disagreement
Reports and observers of Yemeni affairs indicate that this escalation is not a recent development, but rather the culmination of long-standing disputes over sovereignty. The Yemeni government had previously raised concerns about the Emirati military presence on Socotra Island and at the Balhaf gas facility in Shabwa Governorate, arguing that some of these actions exceeded the coalition's stated objectives and infringed upon Yemeni national sovereignty. Furthermore, the support provided to military formations outside the framework of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense constituted a fundamental point of contention, contributing to the widening rift between the two sides and leading to sporadic clashes and instability in the interim capital, Aden.
Expected regional and international repercussions
This decision carries serious repercussions for the future of the Arab coalition and the cohesion of the anti-Houthi front. Militarily, the withdrawal of Emirati forces—if it occurs—or the continuation of tensions, could create a security vacuum in some southern regions and along the western coast, which extremist groups or the Houthis could exploit to regroup. Regionally, this situation presents Saudi Arabia, the coalition leader, with a significant diplomatic challenge: bridging the divide between its two main allies (the Yemeni government and the UAE) and ensuring that the Riyadh Agreement, designed to unify efforts, does not collapse.
Analysts believe the international community is watching this escalation with concern, as any internal fighting within the legitimate camp will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations describes as the worst in the world, and will complicate the efforts of the UN envoy to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
