Unprecedented Rift: Saudi Arabia Sets "Red Line," Urging UAE to Withdraw Forces from Yemen Within 24 Hours

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern statement on Tuesday, expressing deep "regret" over Emirati pressure on Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to conduct military operations near the Saudi border in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Riyadh declared these movements a "red line" and a direct threat to its national security. This escalation follows a Coalition report identifying unauthorized arms shipments from Fujairah to Al-Mukalla, which led the Coalition to conduct a "limited military operation" to neutralize the delivered weaponry.

The Kingdom called on the UAE to comply with the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council's demand for a complete withdrawal of its military forces within 24 hours and the cessation of all financial and military support to internal factions. This diplomatic crisis coincided with decisive decrees by Yemeni President Rashad Al-Alimi, who revoked the mutual defense agreement with the UAE, declared a 90-day state of emergency, and imposed a 72-hour total blockade on all ports and borders.