The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially ended its military alliance with the united Arab Emirate (UAE) in Yemen, following a series of escalating tensions between the two Gulf powers.
The move came after Saudi Arabia backed a demand for UAE forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours, citing national security concerns.
The UAE has announced it will pull its remaining troops out of Yemen, citing safety concerns and a desire to prevent further escalation.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Iran Launches Attacks on US Bases in Middle East
In a statement, the Kingdom announced on Tuesday the formal dissolution of its alliance with the United Arab Emirates in Yemen, following the targeting of Emirati reinforcements in the eastern part of the country.
The Presidential Leadership Council, the Saudi-backed authority in Yemen, issued a decision from the residence of its chairman in the Saudi capital to officially terminate the joint defense agreement with the UAE and grant its forces a deadline to leave Yemeni territory.
The decision, read out by Rashad al-Alimi, instructed Saudi-aligned military factions known as “Shield of the Nation” to take control of all military camps held by the Southern Transitional Council’s factions.
The move comes amid escalating Saudi–Emirati tensions.
Saudi Arabia accused its junior ally, the UAE, of undermining Yemen and threatening Saudi national security, following revelations about the targeting of large military reinforcements arriving from the UAE at the port of Mukalla.
GLOBAL TRACKER learned that although Saudi Arabia and the UAE have managed their differences in Yemen behind the scenes for years, this marks the first time Riyadh has openly acknowledged a direct confrontation.