Abu dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Defense announced today, Tuesday, the withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism teams from Yemen, confirming that this decision was made entirely of its own volition and in full coordination with its partners.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry affirmed that “the UAE has participated in the Arab Coalition since 2015 in support of legitimacy in Yemen, to support international efforts in combating terrorist organizations, and to achieve security and stability in brotherly Yemen. The sons of the UAE have made significant sacrifices to achieve these goals.”

The Ministry of Defense indicated that “the UAE Armed Forces ended their military presence in the Republic of Yemen in 2019 after completing the tasks specified within the agreed-upon official frameworks. The remaining presence is limited to specialized teams within the framework of counter-terrorism efforts and in coordination with relevant international partners.”

The statement continued, “Given recent developments and their potential repercussions on the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism operations, we announce the voluntary termination of the remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen, ensuring the safety of their personnel, and in coordination with relevant partners.”

The Ministry of Defense clarified that “this measure comes within the framework of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase, and is consistent with the UAE’s commitments and its role in supporting the security and stability of the region.”