The United Arab Emirates has announced the end of its remaining counter-terrorism operations in Yemen following the airstrikes by Saudi Arabia. The Emirati Ministry of Defense says that its regular military deployment in Yemen had already been completely terminated in 2019. According to the Gulf Times, the Ministry of Defense issued a statement stating that the decision to end the operations of the counter-terrorism units in Yemen has been taken voluntarily, and this process will be completed in a manner that ensures the safety of Emirati personnel at all times. The statement also said that the decision is being implemented in continuous communication and mutual consultation with partner countries.
According to the Ministry of Defense, this step was taken in light of the current regional situation and the potential impact on counter-terrorism missions. The statement clarified that the decision was made in light of a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the current phase and the UAE’s responsibilities for peace and stability in the region. The statement recalled that the UAE participated in the Arab Coalition in 2015 to support the legitimate government of Yemen, and withdrew its military presence in 2019 after achieving the set goals. After that, the UAE’s activities in Yemen were limited to limited counter-terrorism teams, working in cooperation with international partners.
