Sana’a, MINA – Yemen’s internationally recognized government took drastic action on Tuesday, announcing the immediate cancellation of its joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and demanding the withdrawal of all Emirati forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, Anadolu Agency reported.
The decisive move was announced in a televised speech by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi. He declared a nationwide 90-day state of emergency and imposed a 72-hour ban on all air and land movement through ports and border crossings.
The crisis was triggered by an alleged UAE arms shipment to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a secessionist group that controls parts of southern Yemen. Al-Alimi condemned the shipment as a “serious security breach” and part of a years-long systematic effort by Abu Dhabi to undermine state authority, paralyze government institutions, and exploit the southern cause for political aims.
The escalation follows a recent Saudi-led coalition airstrike described as “limited,” which targeted two unauthorized ships from the UAE that had docked at Yemen’s Mukalla port.
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In his address, Al-Alimi called on the STC to withdraw its forces, accused it of ignoring dialogue, and reaffirmed that the southern issue is an internal Yemeni matter. He expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s de-escalation efforts and its stance affirming that southern regions like Hadramout are integral parts of Yemen.
The Yemeni government issued a statement fully supporting Al-Alimi’s measures, praising Saudi Arabia’s “historic and steadfast position,” and rejecting the STC’s separatist claims, insisting on preserving the country’s territorial unity. There was no immediate comment from the UAE.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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