UAE Agrees to Voluntary Withdrawal from Yemen

The ministry confirmed that Emirati forces had been active since 2015 as part of the Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s ousted government. It noted that the UAE formally ended its military presence in 2019 after fulfilling agreed duties, with only limited specialized teams remaining thereafter.

While the statement formally marks the end of the UAE’s military role in Yemen, Abu Dhabi continues to exert influence over developments in the country’s south and east. Leaders of the Southern Transitional Council sharply criticized Rashad al‑Alimi’s decision, calling it illegitimate. Efforts to pave the way for declaring southern Yemen’s secession remain ongoing, with the UAE awaiting broader international backing before re‑engaging more directly in the Yemeni file.