UAE Rejects "Secret Prisons" Allegations in Yemen, Citing Disinformation and Military Standards

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the United Arab Emirates dismissed allegations regarding the management of secret detention centers in Southern Yemen. In a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the UAE labeled the accusations as "deliberate slander," clarifying that the facilities identified in Hadramaut were actually military barracks, operations rooms, and fortified underground bunkers—standard infrastructure for military installations and airports globally.

The denial follows claims by the Governor of Hadramaut, aligned with Saudi-backed forces, who alleged the discovery of secret prisons following the withdrawal of UAE troops. This diplomatic friction underscores the deepening rift between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh over regional influence, particularly after the recent military shifts that saw Saudi-aligned forces regain territory from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).