Saudi Arabia issued a stern warning on Tuesday, declaring its national security a "red line" and throwing its support behind a demand for United Arab Emirates (UAE) forces to exit Yemen within a 24-hour deadline, according to "Reuters".
This significant escalation follows a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla, targeting what was described as foreign military support for UAE-backed southern separatists.
The move marks Riyadh’s most forceful rhetoric against Abu Dhabi to date. It coincides with an ultimatum issued by Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, who ordered Emirati forces to depart the country. Saudi officials urged the UAE to comply immediately with the demand to avoid further friction.
According to the Yemeni state news agency, al-Alimi has officially cancelled a defense pact with the UAE.
In a televised address, he accused Abu Dhabi of inciting internal conflict within Yemen through its persistent support for the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The burgeoning rift between the two Gulf powers, both dominant members of OPEC, could have broader implications beyond the conflict. Analysts suggest that such a high-level diplomatic dispute may hinder consensus on oil production policies as the group prepares for a virtual meeting this Sunday.
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