The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has accused the United Arab Emirates of operating a secret prison at an airbase near the southern port city of Mukalla, escalating tensions between the two Gulf powers. The allegations were made on Monday by Salem Al-Khanbashi, governor of Hadramout province.
Al-Khanbashi, speaking at a televised press conference at the Riyan airbase, said the Yemeni authorities would take all necessary measures to hold accountable both UAE officials and Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
He alleged that al-Zubaidi had been moved out of Yemen by the UAE.
“All the measures will be taken to hold perpetrators of violations accountable, either Aidarous al-Zubaidi or the UAE — its elements, officials, or people working for them — to achieve justice for the victims and their families,” Al-Khanbashi said.
There was no immediate response from the UAE foreign ministry.
However, the STC, which has received backing from the UAE, rejected the allegations.
"We have continuously engaged constructively with U.N. and other human rights bodies to ensure the rights and protection of the Southern (Yemeni) people," an STC official said.
The accusations mark one of the most serious public confrontations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, where the two Gulf states have historically presented a united front.
Previous clashes
The dispute became visible last year when UAE-backed STC fighters expelled Saudi-backed forces aligned with the internationally recognised Yemeni government from key provinces.
In late December 2025, Saudi Arabia said it had struck a shipment of weapons destined for the STC in Mukalla, followed by an offensive that saw the STC collapse and UAE forces withdraw after nearly a decade as the main ground power in Yemen.
The discord has spilled into public view in recent weeks, with Saudi and Emirati pundits exchanging attacks on social media — a rare display of tension between the Gulf monarchies.
Saudi state-run Ekhbariya TV posted on X on Sunday, “With Abu Dhabi inciting against Saudi Arabia … the kingdom will not hesitate to take the necessary steps and measures against it.”
The Yemeni government has previously accused the UAE of running secret prisons in areas under its control, allegations which the UAE has consistently denied.
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in ...
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing internati...
Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime ...
A drone attack on a hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, has killed at least 64 people and injured 89 more, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported...
Cuba’s national power grid went down on Saturday, cutting electricity for millions, officials said. The outage marks the second nationwide...
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the country’s modern history.
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing international criticism.
Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime attack and reflecting on changes to national security.
A drone attack on a hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, has killed at least 64 people and injured 89 more, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Saturday.
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris, the martial artist, actor and cultural icon best known for his roles in action films and the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially become the most-watched trailer of all time, racking up 718.6 million views in its first 24 hours and surpassing the previous record set by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Italy is voting on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the country’s modern history.
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing international criticism.
Iran has launched long-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, in what Israeli officials said was a major escalation in the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, saying American forces could strike Iranian power plants if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Israel has also signalled it will step up military action in the region, raising fears of a wider escalation.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment