On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) firmly rejected Saudi Arabia’s allegations that it was "fueling the conflict" in Yemen. This marked Abu Dhabi’s first official response to Saudi statements following a coalition-led strike—headed by Riyadh—on what it claimed were UAE-supplied weapons intended for separatist groups supported by the Emirates.

According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing its "complete rejection of the allegations related to fueling the Yemeni conflict," adding that the Saudi statement "was issued without consultation with other coalition member states."

The UAE also stated that it "categorically rejects the inclusion of its name in the current tensions between Yemeni parties."

"No Weapons" in Shipment Destroyed by Saudi Forces

Later the same day, the UAE clarified that the shipment destroyed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen did not contain "any weapons" and was intended solely "for the UAE forces operating" in the war-torn country, which has been embroiled in civil war for over a decade.

In another statement via WAM, the UAE Foreign Ministry emphasized that "the mentioned shipment did not include any weapons, and the vehicles that were offloaded were not designated for any Yemeni party, but were shipped for use by UAE forces operating in Yemen."

The ministry stressed that "there was high-level coordination between the UAE and its brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding these vehicles, with an agreement that the vehicles would not leave the port. However, the UAE was surprised by the targeting of the shipment at the Port of Mukalla."