Saudi Air Strikes on Yemeni Port, Accuses UAE of Supporting Separatists

Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on the southern port city of Mukalla in Yemen on Tuesday. Saudi stated that the target was weapons transported from the UAE, used to support the Southern Transitional Council (STC) armed forces, which crossed its national security red line.

Reuters reported that the Saudi-led multinational coalition said two ships departing from the UAE's Fujairah port entered Mukalla port without authorization and unloaded large quantities of military supplies. The air strike was carried out at night to avoid collateral damage. Saudi officials stated that there were no casualties.

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Council Rashad Al-Ayemi ordered UAE forces to withdraw within 24 hours and canceled the defense agreement with the UAE. He accused the UAE of exacerbating domestic military conflicts by supporting the STC and threatening Saudi interests.

Al-Ayemi said, "Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that the UAE is pressuring and directing the Southern Transitional Council, weakening the country's authority through military escalation, attacking armed forces positions, repeatedly attacking tribes and innocent civilians in Hadhramaut province, and closing commercial flights at Say'un airport, causing serious violations against civilians."

The STC refused to comply with the withdrawal order, issuing a joint statement saying that any unilateral decision cannot change its status within the coalition, and emphasized that the UAE remains an important partner in fighting the Houthi rebels.

AP reported that the Yemeni government declared a state of emergency, implementing a 72-hour ban on airspace, ports, and borders, suspending all entry and exit activities except those approved by the coalition.

Reuters cited analysts who said that the rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE could affect the situation in Yemen and also impact OPEC internal decisions. Affected by the tense situation, major Gulf stock markets fell generally on Tuesday.

This incident highlights that the military actions of the Southern Transitional Council may reignite the long-stagnant civil war in Yemen and further complicate regional security conditions.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852984677380108/

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