Aftermath following Saudi-led coalition airstrike on Yemeni port of Mukalla

Saudi Arabia demands UAE forces exit Yemen within 24 hours following coalition airstrike on Mukalla port, signaling rising tensions between Gulf allies.

Reuters

30 December 2025 at 14:05:30

Smoke rises in the aftermath of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike, which targeted what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists, in Yemen's southern port of Mukalla, in this screengrab from a handout video obtained by Reuters on December 30, 2025.

Reuters

Black smoke was seen rising on Tuesday (December 30) after a Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla.

Reuters was able to confirm the location from the layout of the storage tanks, warehouses and trees which matched satellite imagery and corroborating footage from the scene. The date when the video was filmed was verified by official and media reports.

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday its national security was a red line and backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after the airstrike.

The warning represented Riyadh's strongest language against Abu Dhabi yet, as the coalition struck what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists, and the head of Yemen's Saudi-backed presidential council set the deadline for Emirati forces to leave.

The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it was disappointed with Saudi Arabia's statement regarding Yemen, and surprised by the airstrike on Mukalla.

Production: Mohammed Benmansour/Reuters