Saudi Airstrike on Mukalla Sparks Gulf Tensions as Riyadh Issues Warning to UAE

Saudi Arabia launched an airstrike on the Yemeni port of Mukalla on Tuesday. The strike targeted what Riyadh said were weapons linked to the United Arab Emirates. The Yemen government backed by Saudi Arabia then gave UAE forces a 24‑hour deadline to leave the country. The incident took place in southern Yemen, where rival groups have been fighting for control.The move marked a sharp shift in ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both have long been close partners in the region. But the strike made their growing differences public. It also pushed the Yemen conflict into a new phase.

Saudi Airstrike on Mukalla Raises Alarm in the Gulf Region

The strike hit shipments that Saudi officials said came from the UAE. According to Reuters, the cargo included vehicles and other gear that Riyadh claimed were meant for the Southern Transitional Council. The STC is a separatist group that wants an independent South Yemen. The group has been backed for years by the UAE.Saudi Arabia said the shipment breached its security red line. Officials said the ships arrived from Fujairah with their tracking systems switched off. They accused the crews of docking in Mukalla without permission. Saudi jets moved in after civilians were asked to clear the area.The UAE rejected the claims. It said the shipment did not include weapons. It also said the vehicles were for Emirati forces working in Yemen. The UAE added that it respects Saudi sovereignty and does not act against Saudi interests.Regional stock markets fell after the news. Major Gulf indices slid as investors reacted to rising tensions, Reuters reported. The strike also renewed questions about the future of the Saudi‑UAE partnership.

Why the Saudi Strike Matters and What It Means for Yemen

Mukalla sits on the Arabian Sea. It is close to key shipping lanes used to move oil and goods toward Europe. Saudi Arabia sees the area as vital to its southern security. Any new shift in control alarms Riyadh.The Yemen conflict remains split between several sides. Saudi Arabia backs the government in Aden. The UAE has invested heavily in the STC. The Houthis, supported by Iran, control the north. Any change in the southern balance affects the wider regional struggle.Associated Press noted that this was not the first Saudi strike on the STC this month. Riyadh hit STC targets on December 26. Those strikes warned the group to halt its expansion in Hadramout and Mahra. The STC had moved in after pushing out other units backed by Saudi Arabia.The Saudi‑backed leadership in Yemen later cancelled defence ties with the UAE. It also demanded a rapid Emirati pullout. Flights and airspace rules tightened soon after.

Regional Impact and Rising Tension

Saudi Arabia and the UAE rarely clash in public. But experts say their split over Yemen has widened since 2020. Reuters has reported earlier tensions over oil policy, trade, and regional strategy.Political analysts fear the current clash may grow. Some say the strike is a test of intent. They warn that a deeper rift would damage any hope for stability in Yemen.Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland also added new debate. Some analysts said it could shift the balance in the Red Sea and affect operations near Yemen. But no direct link has been confirmed by any major news agency.

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The Saudi airstrike on Mukalla marks a turning point. It signals a harder line from Riyadh and exposes a split with the UAE. The region now watches for the next move from both sides.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why did Saudi Arabia strike Mukalla?

Saudi Arabia said it targeted gear linked to the UAE. It claimed the shipment was meant for separatist forces. Riyadh saw it as a threat to its security.

Q2: What was the UAE’s response?

The UAE said the shipment had no weapons. It said the vehicles were for its own forces. It rejected claims of acting against Saudi Arabia.

Q3: Who controls southern Yemen?

The STC controls key areas like Aden. The group is backed by the UAE. The Saudi-backed government also claims authority in the south.

Q4: How did markets react?

Gulf markets fell after the news. Investors feared more regional tension. Reuters reported declines across major indices.

Q5: Does this affect the wider Yemen war?

Yes. The split could weaken anti-Houthi forces. It may also complicate future peace efforts.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, BBC