The United Arab Emirates has announced that it is removing all its remaining counter-terrorism teams from Yemen. The UAE officially left the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen in 2019 but kept a small number of special counter-terrorism units in the country.

 

Saudi Arabia has led the fight against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2015, and the UAE played an important role in stopping the rebels from advancing, pushing them out of the south, and fighting terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS.

 

The UAE Ministry of Defence said in a statement that recent events could put its personnel at risk and make counter-terrorism work less effective. The ministry said the withdrawal was decided independently and would be done safely in cooperation with partner countries.

 

The ministry called the pullout part of a wider review of what is needed now, in line with the UAE’s commitments to supporting security and stability in the region. The statement recognised the UAE’s involvement in the Arab Coalition since 2015, helping Yemen’s recognised government, supporting international efforts against terrorist groups, and working for the security of the Yemeni people. The ministry noted that the UAE has paid a heavy price in pursuing these goals.

 

The UAE announcement followed Saudi Arabia’s disclosure of what it called a limited military operation against weapons and combat vehicles in southern Yemen. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected Saudi claims that it was adding fuel to the Yemen conflict. The ministry also refused any attempts to drag it into Yemen’s internal disputes.