The Incident: Operation at Mukalla Port
A military statement released via the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed that Coalition Air Forces conducted the strike overnight to destroy military hardware recently unloaded at the port.
- The Target: The strikes targeted weapons and combat vehicles unloaded from two ships. One vessel was identified as the Greenland, a St. Kitts-flagged roll-on/roll-off ship that tracking data showed had left Fujairah, UAE, on December 22.
- The Reason: Coalition spokesperson Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki stated the ships had disabled their tracking systems and unloaded “unauthorized” military aid meant for the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
- Casuality Status: The Saudi military claimed the operation was timed to ensure “no collateral damage occurred,” and no casualties have been confirmed as of Tuesday morning.
Deepening Rift: Saudi Arabia vs. UAE
This military action signals a historic low in the relationship between the two Gulf powers, who were once unified in their fight against Houthi rebels.
- The Conflict: Saudi Arabia backs the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and the National Shield Forces, while the UAE supports the STC, which seeks the independence of South Yemen.
- The Catalyst: On December 2, 2025, the STC launched “Operation Promising Future,” seizing nearly 52% of Yemen’s territory, including the oil-rich Hadramout and Al-Mahrah governorates.
- Prior Warnings: On Friday, December 26, Saudi Arabia conducted warning strikes on STC sites, demanding their immediate withdrawal—a demand the STC flatly refused.
Key Strategic Locations Under STC Control (Dec 2025)
| Region | Strategic Importance | Capture Date |
| Mukalla Port | Primary maritime gateway for eastern Yemen | Early Dec 2025 |
| Seiyun | Key military and transit hub in Wadi Hadramout | Dec 3, 2025 |
| PetroMasila | Yemen’s largest oil production facility | Dec 4, 2025 |
| Al Ghaydah | Capital of Al-Mahrah governorate (Oman border) | Dec 4, 2025 |
What This Means for the Region
The STC is reportedly close to declaring a formal state in the south, a move that would permanently partition Yemen. Saudi Arabia’s direct military intervention against UAE-backed proxies suggests Riyadh will use air power to prevent the STC from consolidating its hold on the northern border and oil reserves.