Mukalla: Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes on the port city of Mukalla in southern Yemen, saying the operation targeted a shipment of weapons meant for separatist forces operating in the region. The strikes mark a sharp escalation inside the already complex Yemen conflict and point to growing strains within the Gulf led alliance.
Saudi officials said the weapons arrived by sea and were intended for the Southern Transitional Council, a powerful separatist group backed by the United Arab Emirates. Riyadh described the shipment as a serious threat to regional security and said the strikes were limited and carefully planned to avoid civilian harm.
Following the attack, the Saudi led coalition urged civilians around the Mukalla port area to evacuate, indicating the possibility of further military action. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and local residents reported loud explosions and temporary disruption at the port.
The incident has drawn attention because Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were once close partners in the campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Over time, their priorities have diverged. Saudi Arabia continues to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government and stresses the country’s unity, while the UAE has backed the Southern Transitional Council, which seeks greater autonomy or independence for southern Yemen.
Mukalla is a strategic port on the Arabian Sea and plays a key role in trade and security along Yemen’s southern coast. Any disruption there raises concerns about civilian life, humanitarian access and regional shipping routes.
The UAE has not publicly commented on the Saudi claims about the weapons shipment. International observers say the latest strikes highlight the fragile balance among allies in Yemen and the risk of new internal fronts opening in the long running war.
As the situation develops, attention is focused on whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation and how the fighting may affect civilians already suffering from years of conflict and instability.