Overview
- Saudi officials said coalition aircraft hit materiel being offloaded at Mukalla from two ships that sailed from Fujairah with tracking disabled, alleging the cargo was for the Southern Transitional Council.
- Yemen’s presidential leadership declared a 90-day state of emergency, imposed a 72-hour air, sea and land blockade, ended its defense pact with the UAE and pressed for an Emirati pullout within 24 hours.
- The UAE initially rejected the arms allegations and voiced surprise at the strike, then its Defense Ministry announced a voluntary withdrawal of its remaining counterterrorism units from Yemen.
- Footage and local accounts documented blast damage to civilian areas near the port despite early assurances of no casualties.
- Internal splits deepened as four of eight members of Yemen’s presidential council aligned with Abu Dhabi rejected the emergency moves, with analysts warning the rupture could benefit the Houthis.