Saudi-led coalition says UAE-linked ships entered Yemen port without authorization

Allegations of unauthorized entry and disabled tracking

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki stated Tuesday on social media platform X that the vessels "entered Mukalla port in violation of applicable procedures" and without authorization from the Yemeni government or coalition command. He alleged the ships "switched off their tracking and identification systems before entering Yemeni territorial waters."

Coalition airstrike and UAE denial

Earlier on Tuesday, the coalition announced it had conducted a "limited" airstrike targeting the two vessels after they arrived from the UAE. Abu Dhabi denied the ships carried weapons for Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), asserting the cargo was intended for UAE forces operating in Yemen and not for any Yemeni faction.

Broader crisis and diplomatic fallout

The maritime dispute occurs amid a major escalation in southern Yemen, where the UAE-backed STC recently seized control of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra provinces. Saudi Arabia has labeled UAE actions a "threat to its national security," prompting Yemen's presidential council to cancel a defense pact with Abu Dhabi and issue a 24-hour ultimatum for UAE forces to withdraw, severely straining Gulf cooperation.