Overview
- Southern government-aligned forces said they will not withdraw from Hadramout or Mahra, announcing redeployments that include moving the 1st Shield of the Nation brigade to Thamud and preparing additional units for Ramah to cut arms smuggling to the Houthis and target militant hideouts.
- The Southern Transitional Council’s National Assembly leadership blamed Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al‑Alimi and the Islah party for the Mukalla port incident and rejected what it called unilateral decrees, saying recent emergency measures do not bind the south.
- STC figures Ali al‑Kathiri and Nizar Haitham warned that unilateral decision-making is worsening the crisis, asserted southern forces will remain to secure key corridors, and pointed to supportive rallies in Mahra and Shabwa as political backing grows.
- The UAE Defense Ministry confirmed it has ended its remaining counterterror teams in Yemen, a move local officials and analysts say removes specialized support and raises concerns about potential openings for extremist groups in southern provinces.
- The UAE sustained its humanitarian engagement as the Mohammed bin Rashid relief ship arrived at Egypt’s Al‑Arish port with more than 7,300 tons of aid for Gaza under the Gallant Knight 3 operation.