Sana’a, 30 December – Yemen’s internationally recognised Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) has declared a 90-day state of emergency. Alongside this, the joint defence agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been cancelled, and a blockade on air, sea, and land routes has been imposed for 72 hours.
The decision comes after the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a southern separatist group supported by the UAE, recently took control of large parts of Hadramawt and Mahra provinces. PLC chief Rashad Al-Alimi described the STC’s actions as an “unacceptable rebellion.”
A statement declared, “The joint defence agreement with the United Arab Emirates is hereby revoked.”
Al-Alimi’s announcement coincides with the Saudi-led coalition’s report of an attack on a shipment of weapons sent to the separatists by the UAE amid ongoing conflicts in a divided Yemen.
The UAE-backed STC forces seized control of southern Yemen areas rich in resources, including large parts of Hadramawt and neighbouring Mahra provinces earlier this month.
Al-Alimi ordered the STC to hand over the territories to Saudi-supported forces and called the separatists’ “insubordination” an “unforgivable rebellion” during a televised address.
This conflict raises the risk of further fragmentation within Yemen’s already fragile government, which has different factions supported by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
It also threatens the slow-moving peace talks with Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who ousted the government from the capital Sana’a in 2014, prompting military intervention by the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia has described the UAE’s actions as “extremely dangerous.” This development may escalate tensions between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, potentially undermining peace negotiations. No immediate violent responses have been reported from any party, but the situation poses a threat to regional stability.
–
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment