Saudi Arabia Strikes UAE Arms Shipments in Yemen as Gulf Allies Face Off

Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes on Yemen's port city of Mukalla in the Hadhramaut province early this morning (Tuesday), targeting what it described as arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group.

The strikes hit two ships carrying weapons and combat vehicles, which Saudi officials claimed violated de-escalation agreements and posed a threat to regional security.

No casualties or significant collateral damage were reported from the operation, according to Saudi state media.

This action marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Saudi-backed forces and UAE-aligned separatists in southern Yemen, following recent STC advances that seized large areas in Hadhramaut from Saudi-supported tribal and government forces.

The STC has accused Saudi Arabia of directly targeting its elite units, prompting Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, aligned with anti-Houthi and Saudi interests, to declare a state of emergency and issue a 24-hour ultimatum for UAE forces to withdraw from Yemeni territory.

The UAE's support for the STC's offensive has been labeled by Saudi officials as a direct threat to the kingdom.

The broader context stems from Yemen's ongoing civil war, where divisions persist between Houthi-controlled northern areas, Saudi-backed government forces, and UAE-supported southern separatists seeking independence.

Recent STC gains in oil-rich eastern regions like Hadhramaut have intensified the rift, with prior Saudi strikes on STC positions reported in late December.

Social media discussions highlight concerns over potential further conflict, with some observers predicting alignments shifts, such as the Houthis possibly siding with Saudi forces against UAE proxies.

Global calls for diplomacy and de-escalation have emerged amid fears of renewed large-scale fighting.