The incident is seen as a sharp escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the state-run Saudi news agency SPA, it was a “limited military operation” to defuse material that had been unloaded from two ships.
Saudi Arabia is now telling the United Arab Emirates to withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours, AFP reports. According to the statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, there is no information about possible consequences if the call is not heeded.
Following the attack, the Yemeni Presidential Council has declared a state of emergency for 90 days. In addition, border crossings and entry by air and via ports in certain areas will be closed for three days.
At the same time, a defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates has been canceled.
The Yemeni government, which is recognized by the international community as the country's legitimate ruler, counts Saudi Arabia as its main ally.
The civil war has been raging in Yemen for more than a decade.
The United Arab Emirates has not yet commented on the incident.
