The UAE announces the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen: details and implications
In a significant development in the region's political and military landscape, the United Arab Emirates officially announced the withdrawal of its remaining military forces operating in Yemen. This move culminates a series of redeployment measures initiated over the past few years. This announcement marks a new phase in the Yemeni crisis and reflects a strategic shift in the Arab Coalition's approach to the complex Yemeni situation.
Background of military involvement and strategic shift
To understand the dimensions of this decision, it is necessary to return to the historical context of the start of operations. The UAE was a key partner and a major player in the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which launched Operation Decisive Storm in March 2015. For years, Emirati forces played a pivotal role in field military operations, particularly in the southern governorates, and contributed directly to the liberation of Aden and the securing of Marib, in addition to their prominent role in combating terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
However, the decision to withdraw was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a continuation of the “peace first” strategy that Abu Dhabi has been gradually adopting since 2019. At that time, it announced the reduction and repositioning of its forces, shifting from a strategy of “direct military force” to one based on supporting local Yemeni forces and focusing on political and diplomatic solutions, while continuing to provide humanitarian and development support to the Yemeni people.
Expected regional and international repercussions
This announcement carries profound political implications at both the regional and international levels. Internationally, this decision aligns with UN and international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen through political dialogue rather than military force. This withdrawal is expected to give new impetus to the UN envoy to Yemen and to diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing the Yemeni parties back to the negotiating table.
On the domestic front, the troop withdrawal places greater security responsibility on local Yemeni forces that have been trained and equipped over the past years. This decision also underscores the strength of strategic coordination between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating that these steps are being taken in complete agreement to ensure no security vacuum emerges that could be exploited by militias or extremist groups, thus paving the way for the reconstruction phase and the rebuilding of Yemeni state institutions.
