Saudi Coalition conducts airstrike on ships in the port of Mukalla in Yemen
The Saudi-led military coalition conducted a limited airstrike on two vessels in the port of Mukalla in southeastern Yemen on the morning of 30 December. This was reported by Saudi official sources, DW.
According to the coalition, the ships arrived from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates without proper permits and unloaded a significant amount of weapons and military equipment. The cargo was allegedly destined for the Southern Transitional Council forces, which control southern Yemen and advocate the restoration of the independent state of South Yemen that existed in 1967-1990. The coalition claims that the strike was carried out with a view to minimising risks to civilian infrastructure
The escalation comes amid rising tensions between the allies. In recent weeks, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council forces have taken control of parts of Hadramawt and Al Mahra provinces, previously controlled by the Saudi-led government. on 27 December, the coalition demanded the withdrawal of these units from the occupied areas
Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2014. The north of the country, along with the capital Sanaa, is controlled by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. The south is largely held by the forces of the Southern Transitional Council, while the internationally recognised government is backed by Saudi Arabia. Despite the joint fight against the Houthis, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi remain regional rivals, which increases the risks of a new round of conflict
