Saudi Arabian military forces conducted airstrikes on the port city of Mukalla in Yemen on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The kingdom stated the attack targeted a shipment of weapons and armored vehicles originating from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) destined for Yemeni separatist forces.
The Attack and Saudi Allegations
The Saudi government publicly broadcast video footage on its state television network to support its claims. The broadcast, aired on December 30, 2025, purportedly showed the contested shipment at the Mukalla port. Saudi authorities presented this as evidence of external support for factions opposing the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which Riyadh backs.
The timing of the strike, reported at 7:19 AM EST with an update at 10:10 AM EST on December 30, 2025, marks a significant and public escalation in the complex web of regional alliances. It directly targets the UAE, a former key partner in the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen, highlighting a deepening rift between the two Gulf powers over their strategic objectives in the conflict.
Background of Regional Tensions
This incident underscores the fractured nature of the Yemen war, where battlefield alliances are often fluid. The UAE, while part of the coalition against the Houthis, has also historically supported southern separatist groups in Yemen, such as the Southern Transitional Council (STC). These groups have different long-term goals than the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, leading to periodic violent clashes between nominal allies.
The airstrike on Mukalla, a port city long a focal point in the war, suggests Saudi Arabia is taking a more aggressive stance to curb what it perceives as Emirati interference that undermines its preferred political outcome in Yemen. This move risks further destabilizing the region and complicating international peace efforts.
Implications and Potential Consequences
The direct military action against a shipment allegedly from a former coalition partner represents a serious deterioration in Saudi-UAE coordination on Yemen. It raises immediate questions about the future of any unified Gulf strategy and could lead to increased factional fighting within southern Yemen, potentially benefiting Houthi rebel forces.
For the Yemeni population, already enduring one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, this new front in intra-coalition tensions threatens further violence and instability. The international community, including nations like Canada with vested interests in regional security and humanitarian relief, will be forced to reassess the dynamics of a conflict that shows no signs of a clean resolution.
In summary, the Mukalla port strike is more than an isolated military action; it is a potent symbol of the shifting alliances and escalating proxy elements within the Yemen war, with significant ramifications for Middle Eastern geopolitics.
