The Ministry of Defense of the UAE has concluded its mission to combat terrorism in Yemen, in the context of rising tensions with Saudi Arabia, which carried out an airstrike on the port of Mukalla.

The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday the conclusion of its mission to combat terrorism in Yemen, following an assessment of recent developments. This decision comes after an airstrike carried out by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia on the port of Mukalla, which Riyadh considered an attack on a weapons shipment linked to the UAE. Tensions between the two Gulf powers, which were previously allies in the intervention in Yemen, have increased, particularly due to diverging interests. Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of supporting separatists in southern Yemen, leading to an open rift. Additionally, the head of the Yemeni presidential council canceled a defense pact with the UAE, accusing them of fueling the conflict.

The UAE stated that the airstrike was surprising and that the targeted cargo did not contain weapons. Tensions between the two countries could affect OPEC's decisions regarding oil production, considering that both are major players in this group.