Illustrative image. (Royal Saudi Air Force)
The Saudi-led Arab Coalition has released a statement providing more details about its airstrikes on an arms shipment sent by the United Arab Emirates to its allies in Yemen.
The statement, issued late on December 30 by coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki, came in response to a statement by the the United Arab Emirate saying that the shipment in question did not contain weapons and were destined for the Emirati forces.
The spokesman said that upon entering the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen, it became clear that the two ships from the UAE were carrying more than 80 vehicles and containers of weapons and ammunition.
He claimed that the Emirate side transferred vehicles, containers, and Emirati personnel to the al-Rayyan base without informing Saudi Arabia.
“Out of concern for the safety of lives and public property, the coalition leadership carried out a limited military operation in a manner that ensured the safety of lives and facilities in the port, after applying the rules of engagement,” Col al-Maliki said.
“The Coalition leadership confirms that the remaining containers are still at the (Al-Rayyan) base as of this time,” he added.
The unprecedented Saudi airstrikes on the Emirate arms shipment came following weeks of tensions with the UAE over the situation in Yemen.
The escalation on December 2 when the Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by Abu Dhabi, launched a military operation across the south of the country, beginning in the Hadhramaut province, which was then under the control of the internationally-recognized government of Yemen allied to Saudi Arabia.
By December 9, the council forces had captured most of the regions comprising the six governorates of the former South Yemen, expanding control along the border with Saudi Arabia.
Following the airstrikes, which took place early on December 30, the UAE announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen, declaring an end to what it called “counterterrorism” operations there.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government earlier demanded the UAE pull its forces from the country within 24 hours, a call that was backed by Saudi Arabia.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the statements of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which it said reflected a “commitment to prioritising the interests of the region, strengthening the principles of good neighbourliness, and adhering to the foundations and principles upon which the GCC Charter is based”. Doha has been a long time rival of Abu Dhabi, and also had its differences with Riyadh.
Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with both Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was likely an attempt to mediate between the two.
The situation cooled down by December 31, which indicate that Saudi Arabia and the UAE may be on the way to reach an understanding.
That’s being said, it is clear that the tight alliance between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which was forged by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud when he first rose to power in 2015, has reached its end. Yemen was just one of several issues the two countries have grown apart as a result of. Another issue is the civil war in Sudan.
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