RIYADH: Yemeni anti-terrorism forces, trained and equipped by Saudi Arabia, show confiscated explosives and equipment belonging to the now dissolved UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Mukalla.
Earlier today, Salam Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, suggested the United Arab Emirates played an alarming role in Yemen and the largest of its 21 governorates.
In a televised press conference yesterday, Al-Khanbashi accused the UAE of having exploited the coalition working to restore legitimate government in Yemen “to achieve its own agenda.”
He also claimed that the citizens of Hadhramaut had been killed, terrorised and tortured by armed groups affiliated with STC leader Maj. Gen. Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, who is backed by the UAE and earlier this month was sacked as vice-president of the country’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).
For its part, and in a statement posted on X, The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates has categorically denied the claims made during the press conference held by Khanbashi.
The ministry further claimed that UAE forces officially and publicly completed their full withdrawal from Yemen on 2nd of January 2026. “This withdrawal included the transfer of all equipment, weapons and assets,” added the statement.











