A convoy of armored vehicles makes its way along a street in the port city of Mukalla, Yemen, on Jan. 1, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced early on Jan. 3 that it had fully withdrawn its troops from Yemen, fulfilling a pledge made amid escalating tensions.
“The return of the UAE forces follows the implementation of a previously announced decision to conclude the remaining missions of counter-terrorism units,” the UAE Ministry of Defense said in a statement posted to X by local media outlets. “The process has been conducted in a manner that ensured the safety of all personnel and carried out in coordination with all relevant partners.”
