Saudi Arabia Bombs Yemen Port Over Alleged UAE Arms Shipment to Separatists.

MUKALLA: In a significant escalation of tensions between Gulf allies, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday carried out airstrikes on the Yemeni port city of Mukalla. The Saudi military claimed the strikes targeted a large shipment of weapons and combat vehicles sent by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to separatist forces in southern Yemen.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the military action followed the arrival of vessels from Fujairah, UAE, which had reportedly disabled their tracking devices before offloading military hardware for the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Saudi officials described the shipment as an “imminent threat” to regional stability, justifying the “limited airstrike” to destroy the offloaded equipment.

The incident highlights a growing rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, who have historically been partners in the coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels but now back competing factions within Yemen. The STC, which enjoys UAE support, has recently been expanding its control in the Hadramout governorate, much to the concern of Saudi Arabia. While the UAE has not yet officially commented on the strike, the move signals a volatile shift in the decade-long conflict as the two regional powers compete for strategic influence. (TG)

For more details: Navamalayalam.com