UAE Troops Withdraw From SE Yemen Base

Local leaders accused UAE troops of plan to overthrow them

Troops from the United Arab Emirates withdrew from the al-Alam base in Shabwa Province, in southeastern Yemen, according to local officials, who had been demanding their withdrawal.

Local leadership accused the UAE of plotting to overthrow them and take over this part of South Yemen. The UAE is closely aligned with the southern separatist group the STC.

The UAE troops left, and were replaced temporarily by the Yemeni military. Eventually, the plan is for Saudi forces to take over the base, considered an important military site.

Shabwa has seen increased fighting in recent months, a spill-over from Maarib. The pro-Saudi side controls most of the area, but the Houthis have made some inroads.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.