The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it has withdrawn its remaining forces from Yemen, a move that follows a 24-hour deadline set by Saudi Arabia for their departure.
In a statement, the defence ministry said the pull-out ends the presence of counterterrorism teams in the country, describing the decision as voluntary and carried out to protect personnel, with coordination from unnamed partners.
Tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have escalated following recent gains by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, which has been battling Saudi Arabia’s allies in the internationally recognised government.
Saudi aircraft struck an arms shipment headed to the STC at the port of Mukalla on Tuesday, days after similar strikes on 26 December. Riyadh has warned that the UAE must step back from Yemen if negotiations to end the Gaza war are to move forward.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump held talks on Monday that Israeli officials described as excellent, even as reports suggested the White House pushed for a shift in policy.
Axios reported that Trump and his aides raised concerns about violence by settlers in the occupied West Bank, the financial collapse of the Palestinian Authority and continued settlement expansion. Trump also urged Netanyahu to calm tensions and proceed to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, saying instability in the West Bank could undermine progress.
Palestinian agency Wafa said Israeli forces bombed Beit Lahia in northern Gaza and the Maghazi refugee camp around the time of the talks.