Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes on a ship coming from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that was reported to be carrying weapons and military vehicles intended for separatist fighters in Yemen. The attack happened on Tuesday and has intensified disagreements between two Gulf allies that are backing rival groups in Yemen’s long civil war.
The Saudi-led coalition said the vessel was headed to support the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group backed by Abu Dhabi, which has taken control of areas in southern Yemen. Saudi officials described the shipment as a serious threat to their national security and regional stability.
Yemen’s government, which Riyadh officially supports, later declared a state of emergency and cancelled a security agreement with the UAE. It also demanded that all Emirati forces leave Yemen within 24 hours. In recent days, Saudi forces have targeted STC positions after the group advanced into parts of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces.
The United States has urged restraint as tensions grow. With internal divisions still deep, Yemen remains a complex conflict involving different factions and outside powers. The recent strikes highlight how regional disagreements are shaping the situation on the ground and raising fears of wider conflict among key Gulf states.
