Saudi-led Coalition Conducts Limited Military Operation in Yemen Port

Limited Military Operation at Mukalla Port

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out a "limited military operation" in Yemen, targeting what it described as foreign military support at Mukalla port. This move came just days after warning the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group, against military actions in Hadramout province.

The coalition's air forces struck early Tuesday morning, focusing on unshipped arms and vehicles, according to a statement by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

According to coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki, two ships entered Mukalla port without the coalition's authorization, disabling their tracking systems and offloading substantial amounts of arms and combat vehicles “to support” the STC.

Rashad al Alimi, leader of Yemen's Saudi-backed presidential council, stated on Tuesday following the attack that all United Arab Emirates forces must leave Yemen within 24 hours.

“Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons ... the coalition's air forces conducted a limited military operation this morning targeting the arms and combat vehicles that had been unloaded from the two ships at Mukalla port,” SPA added.

The operation targeted terminals where the cargo was unloaded, with no casualties or collateral damage reported, emphasizing that the operation was executed in accordance with international humanitarian law.

This attack occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions after a previous STC attack on Yemen's government troops, supported by the coalition. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud posted on social media platform X that STC forces should “peacefully hand over” two regional governorates to the government.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for “restraint and continued diplomacy, aimed at reaching a sustainable solution.”

The STC was initially part of the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthi forces but later pursued self-governance in southern Yemen. Since 2022, the STC, which previously received support from the UAE, has controlled southern territories outside Houthi areas in a Saudi-backed power-sharing arrangement. However, in recent weeks, the STC has “expanded” its control over large areas of the country, displacing other government forces and their allies.