State-run news agency WAM states the ministry says decision has been taken after an in-depth assessment in light of recent developments
ABU DHABI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Dec 30th, 2025) The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence on Monday announced that it has voluntarily concluded the mission of its counterterrorism units deployed in Yemen following a comprehensive review of the situation.
The state-run news agency WAM said that the ministry said the decision was taken after an in-depth assessment in light of recent developments. The statement noted that while the UAE withdrew its regular military forces from Yemen in 2019, a limited number of specialised counterterrorism units had remained deployed.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions after Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad al-Alimi declared the cancellation of a joint defence agreement with the UAE.
Arab media reports quoted al-Alimi as saying that all UAE forces present in Yemen must leave the country within 24 hours. He also announced a complete air, land and sea blockade across all Yemeni ports and land and sea routes for 72 hours.
Media reports further said the PLC’s orders were issued at a time when the Saudi-led military coalition carried out limited air operations in Yemen, targeting the port of Mukalla. The coalition stated that the strikes were conducted against alleged foreign military assistance being provided to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), a southern separatist group.
\Separately, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement calling on the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours, in line with the Yemeni government’s demands, and to immediately halt any military or financial support to any party in the conflict.
