Saudi Arabia Conducts Airstrike on Yemeni Port Over Alleged Weapons Shipment from UAE

Saudi Arabia conducted an airstrike on the Yemeni port city of Mukalla on Tuesday, targeting what it described as a shipment of weapons for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist force backed by the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi military stated that the operation aimed to neutralize weapons and combat vehicles unloaded from two ships that had arrived from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE's eastern coast.

The STC recently seized control of Yemen's Hadramout governorate, including Mukalla, displacing forces aligned with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces. This development has intensified tensions within the coalition fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The UAE has not immediately responded to the airstrike.

The Saudi-led coalition had previously warned the STC against actions undermining de-escalation efforts in southern Yemen, following the STC's military movements into Hadramout and Mahra governorates. The coalition emphasized that any violations would be addressed directly to protect civilian lives and restore calm.

The STC's recent activities, including the raising of the former South Yemen flag and calls for secession, have further strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both nations, while maintaining close ties and membership in the OPEC oil cartel, have supported opposing factions in Yemen's prolonged conflict.