UAE announces full withdrawal of troops from Yemen

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence announced that it has completed the withdrawal of all UAE armed forces from Yemen. 

In an official statement on X, the ministry said the withdrawal was carried out in a manner that ensured the safety of its personnel and was coordinated with relevant partners. The decision implements a previously announced plan to conclude the UAE’s military tasks in Yemen, Caliber.Az reports.

بيان صادر عن وزارة الدفاع في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

تعلن وزارة الدفاع في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة استكمال عودة جميع عناصر القوات المسلحة الإماراتية من الجمهورية اليمنية، وذلك تنفيذاً للقرار المعلن بإنهاء ما تبقى من مهام فرق مكافحة الإرهاب، وبما يضمن سلامة العناصر… pic.twitter.com/X5FBZx5gwr

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) January 2, 2026

On December 29, the UAE announced that it was withdrawing all its troops from Yemen following a request from the Yemeni authorities and an appeal from Saudi Arabia. Yemeni authorities have accused the UAE of supporting armed groups in eastern Yemen, allegations they say pose a threat to the country’s national security.

By Sabina Mammadli