December 30, 2025 | 04:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The leader of Yemen's presidential council announced a state of emergency on Tuesday after a Saudi Arabia-led strike on the southern port of Mukalla.
Saudi Arabia said the strike targeted an arms shipment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) meant to reach Yemeni separatists.
UAE forces asked to leave Yemen
The Saudi-backed presidential council issued a 72-hour ban on all border crossings in its territory except those allowed by patron Riyadh, while also calling for UAE forces to leave its territory in 24 hours.
The security pact between Yemen and Abu Dhabi has also been canceled by the council.
The Saudi military announced the strike in a statement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, saying it targeted a shipment that arrived in Yemen from Fujairah, a city located on the UAE's eastern coast.
According to the statement, the ships' crew "had disabled tracking devices" on them and unloaded "large amount" of weapons and vehicles for the STC's armed forces.
Why did Saudi Arabia strike Yemen?
The statement labeled the weapon shipment an "imminent threat and an escalation that threatens peace and stability," also adding the military had carried out the attack during the night to reduce collateral damage.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said its "sisterly state," UAE's actions in Yemen were "extremely dangerous."
It wasn't immediately clear whether other armies took part in the attack other than the Saudi military.
The separatist group Southern Transitional Council (STC) is backed by the UAE, while Yemen's presidential council is backed by Riyadh.
The attack signals the escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the two countries backing competing sides in the war against the Iranian-backed Houthis.
Read: Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills 26 Journalists, Houthi Reports
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Israeli Airstrike in Yemen Kills 26 Journalists, Houthi Reports
15 September 2025
The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike on Sana'a last Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 26 local media journalists.
Yemen's Houthi Launches Eight Drone Strikes on Israel, Including on Ramon Airport
8 September 2025
Houthi launched eight drone strikes on Israel, including an attack on Ramon airport in southern Israel that injured several people earlier on the day.
Houthi Condemns Killing of Yemeni PM and Other Ministers in Israel Attack
31 Agustus 2025
Houthi condemns the killing of Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and other ministers in an Israeli attack in the Yemeni capital earlier this week.
Israel Pounds Yemen, Netanyahu Says Houthis Are 'Paying a Heavy Price'
25 Agustus 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen following Israeli airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Israel Threatens to Devastate Yemen as It Did to Tehran
22 Juli 2025
Israel claimed to have intercepted a missile launched from Yemen a day after attacking the Hodeidah port.
Israel Claims to Intercept Houthi Ballistic Missile from Yemen
17 Juli 2025
Israeli military asserts that they have intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Houthi from Yemen.
Houthi Attack Sinks Greek-Operated Cargo Ship in Red Sea, Killing Two
9 Juli 2025
Cargo Ship Eternity C sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by the Houthi group, resulting in the deaths of two crew members. The rest of the crew are still in the midst of rescue operations.
Israel Claims to Intercept Missile Launched from Yemen
6 Juli 2025
The Israeli military claims to have successfully intercepted a missile fired from Yemen by the Houthi group on Sunday, July 6, 2025, as part of a series of attacks they called solidarity for Gaza.
U.S. Ambassador Urges B-2 Bomber Strikes on Yemen Following Houthi Attacks on Israel
2 Juli 2025
Despite the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the missile launch by the Houthi from Yemen triggered a strong reaction from Israel and the U.S.
World Bank Grants Yemen $30 Million to Support Education and Digital Payments
20 Juni 2025
In addition to Indonesia, the World Bank injects a US$30 million grant for Yemen. What is it for?
