Overview
- The UAE Defense Ministry confirmed it has ended the work of its remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen, saying the step was taken voluntarily and in coordination with partners.
- Southern government-aligned forces said they will not leave positions in Hadramawt and Al Mahrah, denied reports of any pullout, and announced a repositioning that included the 1st Shield of the Nation brigade moving to Thamud with additional deployments planned.
- The Southern Transitional Council’s administrative body blamed Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad Al-Alimi and Islah for the Al-Mukalla port incident, rejected unilateral decisions, and said emergency measures announced for the south lack legitimacy.
- Local mobilization continued with demonstrations backing southern units in Al-Ghaydah and a large gathering in Shabwa, as STC figures warned that terrorist threats persist and accused rivals of sowing discord within the coalition.
- Parallel to the security recalibration, Abu Dhabi’s new human resources law took effect on Jan. 1, Dubai Civil Defense unveiled a new institutional identity, the federal identity authority detailed 15 anti-bureaucracy projects, and the UAE led talks in Egypt toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.