The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced it was ending the mission of its counterterrorism units in Yemen voluntarily following a comprehensive assessment of recent developments.
In a statement in Arabic on X, the U.A.E.’s defense ministry said the decision factored in potential risks to the safety and effectiveness of its counterterrorism missions. It noted its presence in Yemen “was limited to specialized personnel as part of counterterrorism efforts, in coordination with relevant international partners.”
The decision also followed the head of Yemen’s presidential council asking the U.A.E. forces to leave the country within 24 hours.
Earlier, a Saudi-led coalition had conducted an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla, striking what it described as a foreign military support to U.A.E.-backed southern separatists. Riyadh also backed a call for U.A.E. forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours. The incident, prior to the U.A.E.’s withdrawal announcement, had raised fears of a conflict between the Gulf states.
The U.A.E. was part of a Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi fighters in Yemen from 2015. It started reducing its troop presence in 2019, but said it was committed to the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government. However, the U.A.E-backed Southern Transitional Council later decided to seek self-rule in the south, advancing to an offensive against Saudi-supported Yemeni government troops.
The advance, commencing earlier this month, ended years of stalemate and the STC claimed broad control of the south. Despite Saudi Arabia’s warnings for STC to withdraw its forces from the eastern border province of Hadramout, the STC persisted in its advance.
According to Saudi state media, there were no casualties or collateral damage from the airstrike. “We will continue to prevent any military support from any country to any Yemeni faction without coordination with the legitimate government,” read a statement from the coalition.
Trade ties
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met U.A.E. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Rahim Yar Khan, where he is currently on a private hunting trip.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif had reaffirmed his resolve to elevate the longstanding, brotherly ties between Pakistan and the U.A.E. into a strategic, mutually beneficial economic partnership. He further emphasized the need for both sides to actively pursue enhancement of bilateral trade through a quantum jump.
The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas, including I.T., energy, mining and minerals, as well as defense cooperation. Expressing his admiration for the U.A.E.’s remarkable progress under Al-Nahyan’s dynamic and visionary leadership, Sharif thanked him for his patronage and commitment to fostering stronger ties between the two countries.
He also appreciated the U.A.E. for hosting 2.1 million Pakistanis, who were playing an important role in strengthening ties between the two countries.